Imperative why EFFC Must Arrest Okpebholor for Naira Abuse
By Odion Aikhomu
Last week, a coalition of civil societies under the umbrella of Network of Civil Society Organization in Nigeria petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over purported Naira abuse by Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
The petition, dated 2nd May, 2024, and was addressed to the chairman of the anti-graft agency with the title: Naira Abuse and Mutilation: Petition Against Senator Monday Okpebholo. The body went on to quote the relevant section of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Act 2007 that makes the Naira abuse a punishable offense by law.
However, as at the time this article was being written, no news to the effect that the EFCC has arrested Senator Monday for questioning as they swiftly did recently to two socialites: Mr Okuneye Idris AKA Bobrisky; who currently serving a six month jail term for the same offense. The other accused is Mr Paschal Okechukwu, AKA Cubana Chief Priest, who was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on three counts charge bordering on abuse of Naira by allegedly spraying and tampering with the nation’s currency during a social event as commonly done in Nigeria by the rich, influential and wealthy.
The question before the lips of every Nigerian today is why has the EFCC failed to arrest Senator Monday Okpebholo nine days after the petition was received. The Act is clear. “(as Amended) stipulates that spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira or any note issued by the bank during social occasions 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”.
Why has the EFCC failed in its duty to act with the established fact that the CBN Act was violated by Senator Monday Okpebholor?
It is imparative the EFCC uses its good offices to show Nigerians that it is not selective in its campaigns against the public abuse of the Naira. The commission must uphold its integrity by arresting and possibly prosecuting Okpebholor for his action that is in the public domain. The coalition of the civil societies has given the commission the video where the senator was seen praying money. What else do they want as evidence to do their job?
Senator Monday Okpebholo should be arrested immediately and be made to face the full wrath of the law as no single individual is above the law. It is unfortunate and ironical that a lawmaker is the one also breaking the law.
The EFCC must act now so that it wont be seen as a commission that is selective in its actions, as suggested by the swift arraignment of the two afforementioned individuals. The group has threatened that if nothing is done with respect of the viral video where the Okpebolo was seen abusing the Naira, they will mobilize their teaming members, supporters and lovers of democracy for a peaceful protest against the commision for selective action, display of bias, and demand for public apology for Bobrisky and Cubana Chief Priest. This can lead to break down of law and other. This must be avoided by the commission.
I am of the strong opinion that EFCC should make the arrest of Monday Okpebholo a public show, as it did to others, to send a stern warning to Nigerians that the integrity of the commission is intact, and that no matter how highly placed, the commission will not be afraid to carry out its constitutional duties.
