The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday refuted allegations of naira abuse involving Fauziya Danjuma Goje, the daughter of Senator Danjuma Goje, stating that the claims were false.
The controversy stemmed from a viral video showing naira notes being freely sprayed at a wedding reception in Kano on Friday, October 24, 2024. Many viewers mistakenly identified the event as Fauziya Goje’s wedding and called for her and others involved to be held accountable for the alleged currency abuse.
In a statement issued by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the commission confirmed that while the video did indeed show naira abuse, it was not taken at Goje’s daughter’s wedding. The EFCC’s investigation clarified that the event took place at the wedding reception of Amina Babagana Zannah, the daughter of Hajara Seidu Haruna, also known as Hafsat Gold Nigeria, the CEO of Hafsat Jewellery Enterprise with branches in Abuja, Kano, and Dubai.
The EFCC statement read, “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been drawn to a viral video showing the nation’s currency, the Naira, being freely sprayed at a wedding ceremony in Kano, Kano State, on Friday, October 24, 2024. Allegations of naira abuse were wrongly attributed to Mrs. Fauziya Danjuma Goje, daughter of Senator Goje, by several Nigerians, including an editorial by a respected national newspaper.”
“As part of its ongoing efforts to combat currency mutilation and the dollarisation of the economy, the EFCC took swift action to investigate the video. Our findings revealed that while the incident of naira abuse occurred, it was not at Goje’s daughter’s wedding but at the wedding reception of Amina Babagana Zannah, held on the aforementioned date.”
The commission further clarified that Zannah is the daughter of Hajara Seidu Haruna (a.k.a. Hafsat Gold Nigeria), who owns Hafsat Jewellery Enterprise with branches in Abuja, Kano, and Dubai.
Oyewale also disclosed that Haruna, the mother of the bride, confirmed the authenticity of the video and acknowledged that it was filmed at her daughter’s wedding reception.
“The bridegroom, Ibrahim Mohammad, is from Niger Republic, and the individuals seen spraying naira notes and dollar bills in the video were from the groom’s family,” Oyewale added. “The EFCC has summoned Mohammad and other individuals involved in the alleged currency abuse to report at its national headquarters in Abuja for further questioning.”
In concluding the statement, Oyewale emphasized that while the EFCC appreciates the public’s awareness of its anti-naira abuse campaigns, it would not act against anyone falsely accused of wrongdoing. “The EFCC remains committed to its fight against naira abuse and will continue to pursue all offenders, regardless of their status,” he said.
