Citizens of the Nigerian democracy have much to be thankful for in the privilege they are guaranteed to criticise sometimes questionable policies of their government be it a federal entity or sub-nationals, but even they are bound by simple rules like never distorting, spraying or abusing the Naira in any form.

A renowned cross-dresser Idris Olanrewaju ‘Bobrisky’ Okuneye ran afoul of this critical instruction from Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 (As amended) telling all that cares to know that spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira or any note issued by the Bank during social occasions or otherwise howsoever shall constitute abuse and defacing of the Naira or such note and shall be punishable under the law by fines or imprisonment or both.

When he was arraigned before trial judge Justice Abimbola Awogboro today, he admitted guilt and was also honest that he didn’t understand that his action had construed an offence. All four charges brought against him focused on his tampering with the Naira.

I would do a video on my page and I will educate people about spraying money. I will not repeat it again. I regret my actions, Bobrisky had mentioned in his appeal for leniency.

There are other situations where people find themselves infringing on the common law. This next one is jay-walking with the frequent culprits being those that would dare to cross the highway to get to an opposite lane of a road while they could have located a pedestrian bridge for their safety.

In the megacity of Lagos, the officials who pride themselves in their infrastructure-building drive do not want the residents going against this environmental law, and so back in early February, Environment and Water Resources Commissioner, Tokunbo Wahab resounded this caution in a tweet.

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He said that the Lagos State Government has given a marching order to the officials of Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESCO), (KAI) Marshall and other law enforcement officials to arrest anyone crossing the highway and then charge them to court immediately.

Well, it would seem that 63 people who got arrested in a spectacular LAGESCO and KAI raids on Tuesday, 19 March had it coming. Just like the commissioner promised, they were immediately charged at a Magistrate’s court for their behaviour likely to cause obstruction and breach of peace by crossing the highway.

Prioritise your safety! DO NOT cross the highway. Use the pedestrian bridge.#ZeroToleranceLagos@LasgMOE @LAGESCOfficial pic.twitter.com/cK2xzONDdx

— Tokunbo Wahab (@tokunbo_wahab) February 15, 2024

That was the specific scenario 22-year-old Fasia Ajoke found herself in after she reportedly assaulted a female enforcement officer who tried to arrest her for refusing to climb a nearby pedestrian bridge in the Alimosho district of Lagos.

At the Ile-Epo bus stop off the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway where the event assault occurred, street traders are also getting heat from city officials when they hawk their wares on the streets. This wave of reforms going on in the country touches them.

Policymakers see a two-way street. One allows for citizen-coined constructive criticism and the other is to forcefully guide head-strong Lagosians on how to behave.

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.