Palm kernel dealer jailed for dancing on Naira during birth celebration

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

A 24-year-old Enugu palm kernel dealer identified as Iziga Jude Ikechukwu (also known as Easy-money) has been sentenced to one year imprisonment, for abusing stepping on naira notes while dancing during his birthday celebration.

He was arrested on February 28, 2026, at his residence located around timber market in Enugu-ezike, Enugu state by operatives of the EFCC following an actionable intelligence received via a viral video circulating on social media in which he was seen recording himself, while abusing Naira notes in his hotel room, during his birthday celebration.

Ikechukwu was subsequently arraigned by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on March 26, 2026, on a one-count charge bordering on mutilation of Naira notes to the tune of N81, 700. 00 (Eighty-one thousand, Seven Hundred Naira).

He was arraigned before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, Enugu State.

The lone -count charge reads: “That you, Iziga Jude Ikechukwu on 22nd February 2026, at Embassy Hotel Enugu Ezike, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while celebrating your birthday, you danced and matched on the sum of Eighty-one thousand, Seven hundred Naira (N81, 700. 00) notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria. You thereby committed an offence to wit: mutilation, contrary to and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007”.

Ikechukwu pleaded guilty to the charge.

Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo thereafter convicted and sentenced Ikechukwu to one year imprisonment from the date of arraignment with an option of fine of N300, 000. 00 (Three hundred thousand Naira).

The court also ordered that the sum of N81, 700. 00 (Eighty-One thousand, Seven hundred Naira) recovered from the convict be forfeited to the Federal Government through the Commission.