The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has announced the successful prosecution of Bilikis Adeyinka for vending naira notes in Ikeja, Lagos State.
According to the EFCC’s statement on Facebook, Adeyinka was apprehended while peddling N897,900, a violation of Section 21(4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2007. She pleaded guilty to the charge of currency racketeering before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos State.
The statement read further, “Following her guilty plea, prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie, called on Olagunju Abdul Malik, an operative of the EFCC, to review the facts of the case.
“Abdulmalik told the court that the defendant was arrested on April 27, 2024, while hawking naira notes at 10 Degree Event Centre, Billings Way, Ikeja, Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the commission.
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“According to him, the sum of N897,900 was recovered from her at the point of arrest. Upon her arrest by operatives, she was duly cautioned and she volunteered her statements.”
Prosecution counsel C.C. Okezie, supported by EFCC operative Olagunju Abdul Malik, presented the case, revealing that Adeyinka was caught on April 27, 2024, selling naira notes at the 10 Degree Event Centre, Billings Way, Ikeja, Lagos.
As a consequence of her conviction, Adeyinka received a six-month prison sentence or a N50,000 fine option, with the N897,900 confiscated and forfeited to the Federal Government.
In a separate incident, the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the EFCC apprehended five suspected illegal Bureau de Change operators at the Borno State Hajj Camp, following intelligence reports of their involvement in foreign currency sales.
The EFCC stated its intention to prosecute the suspects once the investigation concludes.
