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CBN warns against money bouquets ahead of Valentine’s day - BLUEPRINT
As Valentine’s Day approaches, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reiterated its 2023 warning against the gifting of money bouquets, classifying them as a form of naira abuse.
In a 2023 notice shared on its official Twitter handle, the CBN listed money bouquets alongside other prohibited acts, including spraying, selling, defacing, or squeezing naira notes.
Citizens were urged to report any instances of naira abuse via toll-free hotlines, with the bank emphasising the civic responsibility to protect the national currency.
The reminder followed a widely publicised 2023 case involving actress and cosmetologist Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, who was arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after a video surfaced showing her spraying and stepping on newly redesigned naira notes at a party.
Under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, anyone who tampers with a coin or note issued by the bank is liable to a minimum of six months’ imprisonment, a fine of at least N50,000, or both.
With Valentine’s Day still associated with lavish gifting, the CBN’s guidance serves as a reminder for citizens to celebrate responsibly and avoid actions that could constitute naira abuse.
