Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin: Nollywood star sentenced for stepping on naira notes
By Wycliffe Muia
BBC News
2 February 2024

Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin asked for leniency saying she was a first-time offender

A Nigerian actress has been sentenced to six months imprisonment for tampering with the currency after she was filmed spraying and stepping on newly issued naira notes last year.

Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin was arrested last February in Lagos after the video of her at a party surfaced online.

The Nollywood star was also seen flaunting wads of the money that had just been redesigned.

She changed her initial not guilty plea to guilty, the authorities said.

The Nollywood star was filmed with 100,000-naira ($83; £66) worth of notes while dancing at a friend's wedding in Lekki, Lagos a year ago, the country's anti-fraud agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said.

In her statement to the commission, Omoseyin 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.

When she appeared in court on Thursday, Omoseyin pleaded guilty following "overwhelming" evidence against her, the EFCC said in a statement posted on X.

Through her lawyer, the actress pleaded for leniency, saying she was a first-time offender and a mother of one.

Omoseyin, who is popularly known as Simi Gold, 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.

It is not clear if the actress will appeal against the court ruling.

The incident happened at a time when there was a severe scarcity of naira cash following the controversial withdrawal of old 200, 500 and1,000 notes from circulation.

Last November, the country's central bank said the old bank notes would remain legal tender, ending months of uncertainty.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68177661.amp

Mynd44 nlfpmod

The incident happened at a time when there was a severe scarcity of naira cash following the controversial withdrawal of old 200, 500 and1,000 notes from circulation.


Very insensitive and unpatriotic of her. She's learnt her lesson and I doubt if she will ever do it again.

If she's truly repented and not convicted of any crime within a certain period, the Lagos State Governor should please pardon her like it was done for Funke Akindele too. Same Akindele later went on to do us proud as a nation and had to be specially recognized and congratulated by President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That's how appropriate use of prerogative of mercy to deserving convicted citizens bring them to love their nation more and become more patriotic.

But if she's not repented and of good behaviour then it'll be so unfortunate. Check my signature for free stuffs!

Lol

The CBN has a law banning people from spraying naira notes at events. During Buhari's daughter's wedding in Kano, guests were seen spraying and dancing on naira notes.

Why wasn't Buhari's daughter and his husband prosecuted and punished? Are Nigerian laws meant for people who are too weak to defend themselves?

If you see her with make up for Instagram, you go think say na better human being.



See how she's looking like a drenched wall gecko


The person that discovered 'make-up' will find it difficult to make Heaven.