Popular Nigerian actress, Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin has been convicted and sentenced to six months in prison for defacing and stepping on new Naira notes during a social event in Lagos.

The verdict was delivered by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, February 1, 2024. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officially disclosed the conviction in a statement posted on its official X handle.

Omoseyin, who initially pleaded ‘not guilty’ when arraigned on February 13, 2023, by the Lagos Zonal Command of EFCC, faced two-count charges related to the tampering of currency. The court alleged that she, “tampered with the sum of N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same in the said occasion.”

Although granted bail on February 15, 2023, the actress decided to change her plea to “guilty” at the resumed hearing on Thursday, citing overwhelming evidence against her.

In delivering the judgment, Justice Aneke sentenced Omoseyin to six months imprisonment, effective immediately, with an alternative option of paying a fine of N300,000. The fine is to be deposited into the consolidated revenue account of the federation.

The incident has stirred discussions on social media, with fans and critics expressing varying opinions on the severity of the sentence for what some consider a seemingly minor offense. The EFCC, however, remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the integrity of the country’s currency and deterring actions that may compromise its stability.