AS many Nigerians continue to knock the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over what they see as selective prosecution of celebrities for Naira abuse, the Commission has said it was actually investigating several celebrities involved in the offence.
Recall that EFCC recently secured the conviction of celebrity cross-dresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, and is currently prosecution celebrity barman, alias Cubana Chief Pries, for the same offence, even as Nigerians have uploaded videos where top government officials and politicians could be seen committing the same offence without being prosecuted.
According to the anti-graft agency, many of the celebrities involved have made useful statements to the Commission and many more have been invited by investigators working on the matter, assuring, however, that there would not be sacred cows.
A statement by EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said: “On the issue of the works of the Commission against Naira abuse, dollarisation of the economy and the enforcement of all extant laws relating to them, the EFCC appreciates the avalanche of public awakening, support and involvement demonstrated so far.
“Increasingly, members of the public are drawing the attention of the Commission to video recording of abuse of the Naira by Nigerians from all walks of life. These gestures amply demonstrate rising consciousness of the public to the sanctity of our national currency and the need for collaborative engagement to sustain the tempo.
“To this end, the Commission will always investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the abuse of the Naira. Old videos being exhumed and flying around for the attention of the Commission are noted, as the Commission is sensitive to the fact that its Special Task Force against Naira Abuse and Dollarisation of the economy commenced operations on February 7, 2024.
“However, going forward, new videos of such infractions will be investigated and prosecuted.
“At the moment, the Commission is investigating several celebrities involved in Naira abuse. Many of them have made useful statements to the Commission and many more have been invited by investigators working on the matter.
“The EFCC will not relent in its no-sacred-cow mode of operations and the public should be wary of running foul of laws against the crime.”
