Group Wants EFCC To Prosecute APC Over Naira Abuse.

Network of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria is appealing to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the prosecution of the All Progressives Congress candidate in the September 21 Governorship election in Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, after being sentenced to six- months imprisonment in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria Act of 2007 for abusing the Nigerian currency, the naira.

The group lodged the complaint with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against Okpebholo in a petition dated May 2, 2024, and addressed to the chairman of the EFCC.

The petition was signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Victor Kalu, and National Secretary, Ali Abacha and claimed the senator is guilty of the offence of naira abuse and mutilation, citing the CBN Act of 2007, which declares such actions as punishable offences, adding that prominent individuals, including lawmakers, have violated this provision of the CBN Act.

The group commended the EFCC for its “swift response in arresting and charging individuals who have been caught on viral videos abusing and defacing the Naira at social events such as the cases of Okuneye Idris Olarewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, and Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, who have faced legal consequences for their actions.

APC candidate Okpebholo, in a statement issued in Abuja described the allegation as a hatchet job targeted at smearing his image ahead of the September governorship election and blamed his detractors and the opposition camp as being the brain behind the campaign of calumny.