Nigerian comedian and actor Ayo Makun, better known as AY, has issued a caution to Nigerians about the abuse of the naira after being invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning over an incident involving currency abuse.
In a post shared on his Instagram page on Wednesday, AY explained that he attended the EFCC’s invitation on Monday in connection with an event where both naira and foreign currencies were publicly sprayed—a practice that goes against the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) regulations on currency mutilation.
The comedian clarified that the investigation concluded with no criminal links to the sprayed money, and he was granted a pardon after it was confirmed that the funds involved were not connected to any illicit activities.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to the EFCC and all the authorities involved for their understanding, and for clearing me after confirming that the money sprayed was not related to criminal or illicit activity,” AY said.
While reflecting on the incident, AY emphasized the importance of respecting the naira and abiding by the law.
He acknowledged that spraying money is a common tradition at Nigerian events, but insisted that it should be done responsibly and in accordance with legal standards.
“This experience has been a valuable lesson for me, and I am committed to promoting awareness about the proper care and respect for our national currency,” he said.
He further stressed that defacing, spraying, or tearing the naira is a punishable offense under Nigerian law and urged Nigerians to uphold the dignity of their currency, which he described as a symbol of the country’s sovereignty and economic stability.
“Respecting the naira is respecting Nigeria’s future,” AY concluded.
“Let’s foster a culture of patriotism and integrity together by promoting responsible behavior.”