Nigerian actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, popularly known as Simi Gold, has been sentenced to six months in prison for tampering with currency. The Nollywood star was captured in a viral video spraying and stepping on newly issued naira notes at a party in Lagos last year. She was arrested in February 2023 after the video surfaced online.
Initially pleading not guilty, Omoseyin changed her plea to guilty during her court appearance, acknowledging the overwhelming evidence against her. In a statement, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported that the actress was seen dancing at a friend’s wedding with 100,000-naira ($83; £66) worth of notes, which had just been redesigned.
Omoseyin claimed that she received the new naira notes from fans at the party, stating that she did not know the individuals who gave her the money. The court sentenced her to six months in prison with an option to pay a $250 fine.
This incident occurred during a period of severe scarcity of naira cash, following the controversial withdrawal of old 200, 500, and 1,000 notes from circulation. The Central Bank of Nigeria later confirmed the old bank notes as legal tender.
Despite being a first-time offender and a mother of one, Omoseyin’s plea for a non-custodial sentence was not granted. It remains unclear if she will appeal the court’s ruling.
The prevalence of spraying naira notes at social events in Nigeria, despite legal provisions against it, continues to be a challenge for enforcement agencies.
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