A Nigerian celebrity make-up artist has been sentenced to six months in prison for defacing the country’s currency during his wedding celebration. Abdullahi Musa Huseini, widely known by his stage name Amuscap, was convicted by a federal high court in Kano for violating a law prohibiting the abuse of the naira.
The case, which was brought forward by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stated that Huseini threw one hundred 1,000 naira notes worth approximately $63 into the air at his wedding in December, a common celebratory act in Nigerian parties known as “spraying.”
Though widespread and deeply rooted in Nigerian party culture, the practice of spraying money is officially prohibited under the Central Bank of Nigeria Act of 2007, which criminalizes the mutilation or defacing of the naira. The EFCC, Nigeria’s main anti-graft agency, has intensified its enforcement of this law since 2023, targeting celebrities and high-profile individuals who flaunt wealth through such acts.
In a statement, the EFCC noted that Huseini had “willfully defaced and abused the naira notes,” and his sentence is part of the agency’s broader campaign to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s currency.
This latest conviction follows a series of similar cases. Last year, popular transgender personality Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in jail for spraying banknotes at a film premiere. Another actor, Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, received the same sentence for spraying and walking on naira notes.
While the EFCC maintains that the law is crucial to upholding respect for the national currency, critics argue the crackdown is overly selective and targets public figures disproportionately. Many question whether ordinary citizens who engage in similar acts at private events are subjected to the same legal scrutiny.
Nonetheless, the enforcement drive highlights the tension between cultural traditions and regulatory frameworks. As Nigeria grapples with economic challenges and currency devaluation, the government appears determined to instill a renewed sense of value and discipline regarding its legal tender. The message is clear: no matter how customary or festive, disrespecting the naira comes with serious consequences.
