A popular Nigerian make-up artist has been sentenced to six months in prison for spraying naira notes during his wedding ceremony, a move the court said violated Nigeria’s currency laws.
Abdullahi Musa Huseini, who is known by his social media name “Amuscap,” was convicted by a high court in the northern city of Kano after pleading guilty to the offence. The incident occurred during his wedding celebration in December last year.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the make-up artist was seen “spraying” a total of 100,000 naira while dancing. This act, although common at Nigerian weddings, was deemed a breach of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, which forbids any form of abuse of the national currency.
Spraying money is a traditional practice often performed at weddings and celebratory events in Nigeria. It is usually meant to display wealth and appreciation, especially to entertainers and hosts. However, Nigerian authorities have recently stepped up enforcement of the 2007 law prohibiting such conduct.
The law stipulates that dancing on, spraying, or marching on the naira is an offence punishable by a minimum of six months imprisonment, a fine of 50,000 naira (approximately $32), or both. Amuscap received the maximum sentence just minutes after admitting guilt.
His conviction follows a series of similar prosecutions in recent months. Notably, Nigerian social media influencer and transgender woman Bobrisky, as well as actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, were both sentenced to six months in prison last year for violating the same law.
The EFCC, which led the investigation and prosecution, has defended its campaign against currency abuse, calling it an effort to uphold the integrity of the naira and instill respect for national symbols.
However, the sentencing has triggered outrage on social media, with many Nigerians describing it as excessively harsh. Critics argue that targeting individuals for cultural practices, while major corruption cases go unpunished, reflects misplaced priorities.
One online user remarked, “It’s hypocrisy to jail a man for spraying his own money while letting those who loot public funds walk free.” Others called on lawmakers to review the legislation to reflect evolving cultural and social realities.
The EFCC has maintained its stance, stating that all citizens must comply with the law regardless of social status. It warned that more arrests could follow if similar incidents occur.
As debates continue over the fairness and relevance of the law, the case of Amuscap has once again spotlighted the tension between tradition and the legal system in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.
