By Prosper Mene
A Federal High Court in Kano has convicted and sentenced Kannywood actress Saadatu Mohammed Inuwa, popularly known as Samha, to six months imprisonment for abusing and mutilating the Nigerian naira.
Justice S.M. Shuaibu delivered the judgment on Friday after the actress pleaded guilty to a one-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charge accused her of tampering with a ₦1,000 note issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sometime in 2022, by soiling it using her nose, an act contrary to Section 21(1) of the CBN Act, 2007.
The offence comes from a viral social media video that circulated earlier this year, showing the actress allegedly using naira notes to clean mucus from her nose. Following the video’s spread, the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Directorate arrested her on February 3, 2026, for alleged naira abuse. Investigations led to her arraignment and eventual conviction.
In his ruling, Justice Shuaibu sentenced Inuwa to six months’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦200,000 fine.
The CBN Act prohibits actions such as spraying, stamping, soiling, or any form of mutilation or abuse of the naira, with penalties including fines and imprisonment aimed at protecting the currency’s integrity.
This case highlights ongoing enforcement efforts by the EFCC and judiciary against naira abuse, particularly in social and entertainment contexts where such acts sometimes occur during celebrations or for content creation.
The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to prosecuting violators, urging the public to handle the national currency with respect.
