Naira abuse: Oluwo cautions EFCC over arrests, advocates public enlightenment

The Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out thorough public awareness campaigns on naira abuse before resorting to the arrest of people.

The Osun monarch gave the charge in a statement, yesterday, through his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem.

The statement might not be unconnected with the recent arrest and arraignment of Nigerian socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest.

Oluwo said that many Nigerian people are ignorant of the acts constituting naira abuse, urging the anti-graft agency to embark on massive publicity in the media to educate Nigerians before enforcing penalties.

The monarch, who stated that spraying naira is rampant among the Yoruba and Igbo, most especially at cultural weddings, naming and burial ceremonies, said that it had become a cultural habit in the two tribes with very few exempted.

He, therefore, urged the EFCC officials to exercise caution and redirect their efforts to public enlightenment on naira handlings and impending punishment for offenders.

He, however, commended the commission on its productive efforts in recovering stolen billions.

The statement read: “While commending the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for their efforts so far in recovering billions of stolen naira, I urge the commission to conduct comprehensive enlightenment for Nigerians on naira handlings.

“The recent litigation by the EFCC against naira abuse is a misplaced priority. The practice of spraying money is more cultural to the Yoruba and Igbo.

“There is a cultural spirit in Yoruba that forces you to spend money uncontrollably at your exciting moment. I am sure the spirit will be tamed when people have public knowledge of possible penalties for naira abuse. The commission should not place the cart before the horse.

“The EFCC should devise both print and electronic media to enlighten the public on those acts constituting naira abuse and spell out penalties. The public knowledge will unavoidably caution individuals and empower the commission to identify and punish arrogant naira abusers.”

Oluwo enjoined the EFCC to work with the government, most especially the National Assembly, to include strict capital punishment for corrupt officials.