Nigeria, Feb. 11 -- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a jeweller for refusing to accept naira, Nigeria's legal tender.

In a statement it shared via its X handle on Tuesday, EFCC said the defendant, Precious Uzondu, was arraigned on two counts before the Federal High Court in Lagos on 5 February.

EFCC alleged that the defendant accepted dollars as a means of payment for a purchase of a Carter diamond bracelet, instead of naira, an offence contrary to Section 20 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.

Section 20 of the Act criminalises refusal to accept naira as a means of payment for goods and services in Nigeria. However, this only applies in Nigeria and does extend to international trade.

It prescrib...