A coalition of civil society groups under the aegis of Network of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria has dragged the Edo State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a petition dated 2 May, 2024 and addressed to the Chairman of the anti-graft agency, the coalition stated that the “Naira is the official currency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria… The Central Bank of Nigeria which is the institution of government that regulates the use and values of our currency the Naira, has a law that make Naira abuse and mutilation an offense punishable by law.
“For avoidance of doubt, Section 21 (3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act 2007 (as amended) stipulates that spraying of, dancing or matching on the naira or any note issued by the bank during social occasion or other howsoever shall constitute an abuse and defacing of the Naira or such note and shall be punishable under the law by fines or imprisonment or both”.
In the petition titled, ‘Naira Abuse and Mutilation: Petition against Senator Monday Okpebholo’, the coalition stated that “it is unfortunate that this section of the CBN Act has been violated by both the high and the mighty in the society, including some law makers themselves. Kudos to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), an anti-graft and law enforcement agency of government for their swift action of defending and protecting the Naira by arresting and charging some notable individuals to Court for Naira abuse offense of spraying Naira, matching and defacing the Naira in a social event based on an obvious and undeniable viral video”.
The coalition gave the example of two socialites – Mr. Idris Olarenwaju Okuneye (well known as Bobrisky) and Mr. Pascal Okechukwu, (popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest) – who were recently arrested, charged to court and convicted on account of charges by the EFCC against them.
While commending the EFCC for the action, which the coalition described as “a courageous display of patriotism”, it demanded that “every other individual whose viral videos were also captured abusing the Naira at social event and other places should be arrested immediately and be made to face the full wrath of the law as nobody is above the law”.
The coalition then called on the EFCC and other law enforcement agents to “consider, investigate and do the needful on the viral video of Senator Monday Okebholo, abusing and mutilating the Naira”.
Signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Victor Kalu; and National Secretary, Alhaji Ali Abatcha, the petitioners threatened that “if nothing is done with respect to the viral video of Senator Monday Okebholo abusing the Naira, we shall carry out the following actions: mobilise our teaming members, supporters and lovers of democracy for a peaceful protest against the EFCC for their selective action, display of bias, and demand for a public apology for Bobrisky and Cubana Chief Priest.
“Institute a legal action against the EFCC for its negligence of duty in the face of obvious undeniable evidence.
“Demand for a legal and judicial interpretation of Section 21 (3) of the CBN Act 2007 (as amended) as it relate to (our undeniable evidence) the video of Senator Monday Okebholo abusing and defacing the Naira.
“Sir, for avoidance of doubt or search for the viral video as quoted, find enclosed the said video for your consideration. Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
