The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Enugu Zonal Directorate has filed charges against two bankers accused of selling newly minted Naira notes in violation of the law.
The defendants, Ekpe Anayaoha Okoronkwo and Umeonuoha Onyinye, were arrested on November 15, 2024, following an investigation based on credible intelligence that linked them to the illegal sale of Naira mints in the Enugu metropolis.
The two suspects appeared before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Enugu State, where they were charged with selling N500,000 worth of newly issued N200 notes to a customer, Husseini Ibrahim. The charge states that they sold the mints in October 2024, violating the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.
According to EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, the charge reads: “That you, Ekpe Anayaoha Okoronkwo and Umeonuoha Onyinye, sometime in October 2024 at Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, did sell a total sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) mints in Two Hundred Naira Notes (N200) denominations, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria to one Husseini Ibrahim, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 21 (4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act.”
Okoronkwo pleaded guilty to the charge, while Onyinye denied the allegations. In response, the EFCC’s counsel, Chief Superintendent Rotimi Ajobiewe, requested a short adjournment to review Okoronkwo’s case. Onyinye’s counsel, C. N. Agama, sought a remand order for his client.
Justice Umar adjourned the matter to January 15, 2025, for the hearing of Onyinye’s bail application and the sentencing of Okoronkwo.
