The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday, cleared Mrs. Fauziya Danjuma Goje, the daughter of Senator Danjuma Goje, linked to naira abuse, declaring the allegations to be false.
This clarification followed a viral video circulating on social media that showed naira notes being sprayed at a wedding in Kano on Friday, October 24, 2024.
Many social media users claimed the events where the naira was being sprayed was Fauziya Goje’s wedding, which led to public outcry and demand for accountability regarding the alleged misuse of the naira.
But the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, in a statement on Monday, said while the video showed the abuse of naira notes, it did not take place at Goje’s wedding, but at the reception of Amina Babagana Zannah, daughter of Hajara Seidu Haruna, who is also known as Hafsat Gold Nigeria.
Haruna is the owner of Hafsat Jewellery Enterprise, a well-known jewelry business 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 where the nation’s currency, the naira, was freely sprayed at a wedding ceremony in Kano, Kano State on Friday, October 24, 2024.
“Allegations of naira abuse were imputed to Mrs. Fauziya Danjuma Goje, daughter of Senator Goje, by Nigerians from all walks of life, including an editorial by a leading and respected national newspaper.
“As a responsible and accountable anti-corruption agency campaigning against currency mutilation and the dollarisation of the economy, the EFCC acted promptly by analysing the video. Findings showed that while naira abuse did occur, it was not at Goje’s daughter’s wedding but at the wedding dinner of Amina Babagana Zannah, held on the aforementioned date.
“Zannah is the daughter of Hajara Seidu Haruna (a.k.a. Hafsat Gold Nigeria), who is the Chief Executive Officer of Hafsat Jewellery Enterprise, with offices in Abuja, Kano, and Dubai (United Arab Emirates).”
Oyewale further noted that Haruna confirmed the authenticity of the viral video and acknowledged that the naira abuse did indeed take place during the wedding reception of her daughter, Amina.
Haruna also revealed that the groom, Ibrahim Mohammad, who hails from Niger Republic, and some members of his family from Niger were responsible for spraying the currency during the event.
The EFCC has since summoned the groom, Ibrahim Mohammad, to their national headquarters in Abuja, along with those who were seen spraying the naira notes.
Oyewale said, “Haruna confirmed the viral video. She admitted that the alleged naira abuse took place at the wedding dinner of her daughter on October 24, 2024. The bridegroom, Ibrahim Mohammad, hails from Niger Republic, and those who allegedly sprayed naira notes and dollar bills were from the groom’s family in Niger Republic.
“The Commission has invited the Nigerien groom, Mohammad, to report to its national headquarters in Abuja, along with everyone who sprayed naira notes at his wedding with Zannah.
“While the EFCC appreciates the awareness its campaigns against naira abuse are generating across the country, it will not act against anyone wrongly accused of an alleged offence. The Commission remains steadfast in this campaign and will spare no offender, regardless of their position.”
