The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it is investigating an incident involving a Chinese national who tore Naira notes in Lagos.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed this to The PUNCH on Friday.
According to report, the incident occurred at a Chinese-owned company along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, when officials from the Lagos State Government arrived to seal off the premises over alleged regulatory violations.
In a viral video, the Chinese national was seen resisting the officials’ attempts to shut down the company.
During the confrontation, he pulled Naira notes from his bag and tore them, sparking outrage on social media.
At the scene, some individuals believed to be Nigerian workers at the company appeared to shield the man from being apprehended by the Lagos State officials.
The incident has generated widespread reactions, with many Nigerians demanding the immediate arrest of the individual.
Social media users have voiced their anger, calling for swift action from the authorities.
Controversial social media influencer, Daniel Regha, posted on his X (Twitter) account, “The EFCC should arrest this man and charge him to court for committing a punishable offense. However, my concern is how selectively justice is applied in Nigeria. If this were a high-ranking politician or their associates, the case would likely go nowhere”.
Another user, @Qladele, wrote, “The Chinese man who disrespected Nigerian currency should be arrested. The company involved should also be permanently shut down. Disrespecting your host country should have consequences. Those who obstructed justice should also face the law”.
Similarly, @Dele93748586 expressed similar view, saying, “The person who insulted the Nigerian currency should be arrested, and the location sealed permanently. There must be consequences for this disrespect, and the security personnel who hindered justice should be detained”.
“Imagine if a Nigerian went to China and tore the Chinese Yuan after the Chinese government sealed his business. This is a huge blow to Nigeria. Even though I don’t support President Tinubu-led government, this is an insult to our country and government!” said @PureStanley1.
Another user, @OyinAtiBode, said, “Those protecting this man should face consequences, and the disrespectful foreigner should be severely punished—arrested, jailed, deported, and permanently banned from returning to Nigeria”.
A legal practitioner, Tolu Babaleye, speaking with Saturday PUNCH, stated that the Chinese national should be subjected to Nigerian as long as he was not a diplomat.
“He can be arrested, tried, and if convicted, sentenced for mutilating Naira notes, as this is an offense under Nigerian law” said Babaleye.
Asked if the EFCC has taken action on the matter, Oyewale, the spokesperson of the commission, in a message to Saturday PUNCH, said, “The EFCC is looking into the issue, please”.
