EFCC clears Goje’s daughter of naira abuse allegations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission stated on Monday that allegations of naira abuse against Mrs Fauziya Danjuma Goje, daughter of Senator Danjuma Goje, are false.

A viral video showing naira notes being sprayed freely at a wedding in Kano on Friday, October 24, 2024, led many to believe that the event in question was her wedding, sparking calls for her and others involved in the naira abuse to be held accountable.

In a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC confirmed that while the video did depict naira abuse, the incident did not occur at Goje’s daughter’s wedding.

Oyewale clarified that the event actually took place during the wedding reception of Amina Babagana Zannah, daughter of Hajara Seidu Haruna, also known as Hafsat Gold Nigeria, the owner of Hafsat Jewellery Enterprise, with branches in Abuja, Kano, and Dubai.

The 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 said that Haruna, Zannah’s mother, confirmed the authenticity of the video and acknowledged that it was recorded at her daughter’s wedding dinner.”

He added that the EFCC has summoned Mohammad, the groom, to its national headquarters in Abuja, along with others involved in the alleged currency abuse, for further questioning.

Oyewale stated, “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.”