Mediaage NG News – LAGOS, Nigeria
A Nollywood actress, Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin has been sentenced to six months imprisonment for abusing the Nigerian currency, after she was seen on a video last year spraying and stepping on newly issued naira notes while dancing at a friend’s wedding party in Lekki, Lagos.
It happened when there was a severe scarcity of the old ₦200, ₦500 and ₦1000 note, following the controversial withdrawal of the notes from circulation.
She was filmed with 100,000-naira ($83; £66) worth of notes.
Omoseyin was arrested last February in Lagos after the video came online.
Having earlier denied the allegations but, later pleaded guilty, Omoseyin in her statement said she received the new naira notes from her fans at the party and that she did not know the people who gave her the money.
On Thursday, the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its X account, said Omoseyin pleaded guilty following “overwhelming” evidence against her.
Through her lawyer who was present, she pleaded for leniency, saying she was a first-time offender and a mother of one.
Popularly known as Simi Gold, she further asked for a non-custodial sentence, according to EFCC.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment with an option to pay $250 fine. However, Ilit is yet unclear if she will appeal against the court ruling.