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.
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