In a recent crackdown on illegal currency trading, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction of Bilikis Adeyinka for hawking naira notes in Ikeja, Lagos. The EFCC announced her conviction on their Facebook page on Thursday.
Adeyinka was arrested while hawking a total of N897,900, a violation of Section 21(4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2007. She was arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, where she pleaded guilty to one count of currency racketeering.
Prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie, called EFCC operative Olagunju Abdul Malik to review the case facts. Abdul Malik testified that Adeyinka was apprehended on April 27, 2024, at the 10 Degree Event Centre, Billings Way, Ikeja, following credible intelligence received by the commission.
During her arrest, N897,900 was recovered from her possession. Abdul Malik informed the court that Adeyinka was cautioned and voluntarily provided statements to the EFCC.
After considering the evidence, Justice Aneke sentenced Adeyinka to six months imprisonment, offering an alternative fine of N50,000. Additionally, the court ordered that the N897,900 recovered from her be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In a related development, the EFCC’s Maiduguri Zonal Command arrested five Bureau de Change operators for illegal currency trading. The suspects were apprehended at the Borno State Hajj Camp, located at Sir Kashim Ibrahim College of Education in Maiduguri, following credible intelligence.
The EFCC stated that investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will face prosecution upon the completion of the probe. The agency continues to intensify efforts to curb illegal financial activities across Nigeria.
