The Digest:
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana SAN has raised an alarm over the deepening dollarization of Nigeria’s economy, revealing that even bribes are now being demanded and paid in US dollars rather than the naira. During an appearance on Channels Television, Falana emphasized that rejecting the naira is a criminal offense and called for urgent action to restore faith in the national currency.
Key Points:
- Falana stated that corruption has adapted to the dollar, with bribes now paid in foreign currency.
- He criticized recent high-profile dollar gifts, including those to national footballers, as undermining the naira.
- The senior advocate highlighted that it is illegal to refuse the naira for transactions within Nigeria.
- He called for an end to dollar-denominated payments for fees, rents, and property purchases.
- Falana linked dollarization to economic instability and the erosion of national monetary sovereignty.
- His comments come amid ongoing inflation and currency depreciation affecting everyday Nigerians.
- The lawyer urged leadership by example to strengthen the naira’s legitimacy and usage.
Sources: Channels Television
