Popular comedian Ayo Makun, widely known as AY, has confirmed being questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged abuse of the naira during a recent social gathering.
In a statement shared on his Instagram page on Wednesday, AY revealed that he honoured the EFCC’s invitation on Monday, May 5, following concerns about the spraying of local and foreign currencies, an act prohibited under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act for constituting currency mutilation.
“I am grateful to God for His mercy and guidance,” the entertainer wrote. “On Monday, I was invited by the EFCC regarding an incident involving the public spraying of both local and foreign currencies—an offence related to the abuse of the naira.”
AY expressed appreciation to the EFCC for their understanding and for pardoning him after verifying that the funds sprayed were not linked to any criminal or illicit activity.
He described the experience as a “valuable lesson,” and pledged to use his platform to educate Nigerians on the importance of respecting the national currency.
“Spraying, tearing, or mishandling the naira is not just a cultural tradition but a violation of Nigerian law that undermines the integrity of our currency,” he said. “We must all uphold the naira as a symbol of national pride and economic stability.”
In a related development, Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo also confirmed she was contacted by the EFCC while in the UK and honoured the agency’s invitation upon returning to Nigeria. She appeared before the commission on the same day as AY, May 5, 2025, and was reportedly questioned in connection with her daughter’s recent wedding celebration, which featured public currency spraying.
Both celebrities have since pledged to support public sensitisation efforts on the legal implications of currency abuse.
According to Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, acts such as spraying, tearing, or defacing the naira are punishable offences under Nigerian law.
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