Bribes now paid in foreign currency, laments Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has lamented the rising dollarisation of the Nigerian economy, warning that even bribes are now being paid in foreign currency.

Falana, who spoke on Sunday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, described the trend as dangerous and unlawful, insisting it undermines the naira and fuels economic distortions.

He criticised the Federal Government for encouraging the practice by rewarding athletes and other beneficiaries in dollars instead of the local currency.

“The president was announcing gifts to footballers in dollars, not naira. It has to stop. We must promote the naira, not the dollar,” he said.

The senior advocate stressed that rejecting the naira for domestic transactions is a criminal offence, urging authorities to enforce the relevant laws to safeguard the national currency.

“As a matter of fact, it is a criminal offence to reject the naira. We need to stop paying fees and buying properties in dollars,” he added.

Falana called for urgent measures to restore confidence in the local currency, warning that continued dollarisation could further weaken Nigeria’s economy.