A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has sentenced controversial social media influencer and TikToker, Murja Kunya, to six months imprisonment for the abuse of the Nigerian currency, the Naira.
The conviction was secured by the Kano Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, marking the latest development in the ongoing crackdown on violations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.
Justice Simon Amobeda, presiding over the Federal High Court in Kano, handed down the sentence after Kunya was found guilty of spraying Naira notes for fun in a viral video recorded during her stay at the upscale Tahir Guest Palace in Kano.
Murja Kunya, who gained widespread popularity for her bold and often controversial TikTok content, was first arrested by EFCC operatives in January 2025 on allegations of mutilating and abusing the Naira, a criminal offence under Nigerian law.
Following her initial arrest, the TikToker was granted administrative bail by the anti-graft agency pending her formal arraignment. However, in a twist that stunned many of her fans and legal observers, Kunya absconded when it was time for her court appearance, effectively evading the legal process for weeks.
The EFCC subsequently launched an intensive investigation and surveillance operation to locate and apprehend her. Their efforts paid off when she was re-arrested on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
Kunya was then arraigned on May 20, 2025, and in a dramatic court session, she pleaded guilty to the amended one-count charge of Naira abuse. Justice Amobeda wasted no time in delivering judgment, sentencing the TikTok star to six months behind bars.
The case has sparked conversations online about the consequences of flaunting wealth on social media and the seriousness of the Nigerian government’s efforts to curb Naira abuse.
As the news spreads, many are watching closely to see how this development will impact Kunya’s social media career and whether it signals a broader clampdown on similar influencers across the country.
