A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has sentenced popular TikTok content creator, Abubakar Ibrahim, popularly known as G-Fresh, to five months imprisonment for abuse of the naira, following his guilty plea to charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Sale Musa Shuaibu, who presided over the case, handed down the sentence on Thursday after the defendant admitted to spraying bundles of ₦1,000 notes during a public celebration last year. The court, however, gave an option of a ₦200,000 fine in lieu of serving the full prison term.
The offence stemmed from a 2024 incident in the Tarauni area of Kano State, where G-Fresh was seen in viral videos spraying naira notes during the opening of a shop owned by fellow TikTok influencer Rahama Sa’idu. The act was deemed to violate the Central Bank of Nigeria’s regulations on currency handling, which prohibit mishandling, mutilation, or spraying of the naira.
G-Fresh, who boasts over 1.5 million TikTok followers, is widely known for his comic skits, sharp-witted commentary, and rap-style delivery. His growing influence among Northern Nigerian youth has made him a recognizable digital personality across social media platforms.
The sentencing comes amid a broader clampdown by authorities on naira abuse, part of ongoing efforts to preserve the sanctity of the national currency. The EFCC has in recent months intensified its prosecution of individuals found violating currency laws in public and social gatherings.
While G-Fresh’s fans have taken to social media to express mixed reactions—ranging from sympathy to criticism—the case underscores a rising trend of legal enforcement targeting influencers and celebrities whose actions are seen as flouting financial regulations.
It remains unclear whether G-Fresh intends to pay the fine or serve the jail term.