By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared that former Niger Delta militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, will be questioned over alleged naira abuse.
The anti-graft agency stated this in a post on its official X handle, on Monday, stressing that no man is above the law.
“Nobody is above the law. Tompolo will have questions to answer!” the post read, accompanied by a picture showing the alleged abuse of the naira.
This is coming a day after Nigerians, particularly social media users, dared the EFCC to arrest Tompolo, accusing the anti-graft agency of selective enforcement of penalties against naira abuse.
A tweet, accompanied by a video, from Harrison A, who tweets as #harreceipts on X.com on Sunday called the attention of the EFCC to Tompolo allegedly abusing the country’s currency.
Harrison A tweet was captioned, “EFCC, see Tompolo and the Naira o.”
The video, reportedly taken during Tompolo’s 54th birthday celebration in April, shows him dancing while a man sprays ₦1,000 notes in front of him.
Considering Tompolo’s status, many social media users expressed misgivings that his action will be met with the statutory punishment, despite the footage evidence.
Najeeb Bello, tweeting as #NejeebBello, wrote: “Once e reach their Oga and him friends, ‘Eee Eff See See’ go turn ‘Eee Eff Blind Blind’. No be just Tompolo, but what of these Folawiyo Eleganza sons wey record and publish video of themselves dey abuse Naira?”
Another user, #OurFavOnlineDoc, added: “Here is Tompolo mutilating the Naira. I know the eyes of that your eagle will suddenly go blind, but I am bringing this to your attention publicly so the whole world will see you are a shameless agency with double standards.”
Similarly, Meek Raphael, tweeting as #MeekRapheal, commented: “Okoya’s son is still walking freely and you expect them to go for Tompolo? Their laws are only effective when the offender is not from the rich class. Same with every security agency in Nigeria — none is truly for the masses.”
The EFCC has recently reaffirmed its resolve to punish anyone, status regardless, caught in the act of abusing the naira.
The anti-graft agency recently used transgender socialite Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, as deterrent by sentencing her to six months in jail for abusing the national currency,
Even after Bobrisky, the anti-graft agency has invited a couple of public figures for a similar infraction.
In April popular Lagos socialite Emeka Okonkwo (aka E-Money) was arrested for allegedly abusing the naira and defacing foreign currencies by spraying U.S. dollars.
Last week, Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo and comedian Ayo Makun were also invited for questioning over allegations related to currency spraying.
Recall that under Section 21 of the CBN Act, 2007, all acts that constitute naira abuse are punishable by imprisonment for a term of not less than six months or a fine not less than ₦50,000 or both.
