VIDEO: Chinese Man Caught On Camera Tearing Naira Notes

 

A Chinese national has been caught on camera tearing Nigerian Naira notes, believed to be N1,000, in the presence of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) officials.

The incident, which has sparked controversy, occurred on Wednesday in front of a Chinese-owned company located opposite Eko Kate along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.

The man, whose identity is unknown, dressed only in shorts and was filmed pulling out the Naira notes from his pocket and tearing them in protest.

The video was shared by an X user, @dammiedammie35, who explained that the man’s actions were in response to the sealing of his business by the authorities.

In the post, @dammiedammie35 wrote, “Yesterday at a Chinese company opposite Eko Kate along Lekki Epe express road, this Chinese man for reasons best known to him pulled out some Naira notes and tore in front of some Lagos government officials for sealing his premises based on some laws he broke.”

In the video, the LASEPA officials are seen attempting to arrest the Chinese man after he tears the Naira notes.

However, several workers from the sealed company, believed to be Nigerians, quickly intervened, pushing away the officials and attempting to prevent the arrest.

READ: Nov 14: Dollar To Naira Rate (Black Market)

Meanwhile, the witness who recorded the video can be heard shouting, “He tear Nigerian money. The Chinese man tear Nigerian money. It is a disrespect to Nigeria. He has disrespected Nigeria.”

The act of mutilating the Naira has caused widespread outrage online, with many Nigerians condemning the man for showing disrespect to the country’s currency.

This incident follows similar cases of currency abuse. In May 2022, a Chinese national named Li Lei Lei was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for mutilating Nigerian Naira notes amounting to N3,200.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has repeatedly warned against the abuse of the national currency, stating that mutilation and improper handling are punishable offenses.

In April 2024, Nigerian crossdresser Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison for defacing Naira notes to the tune of N490,000.