Crime
EFCC silence over another naira abuse video worrisome
A video of naira rain at a recent glitzy event has kept the Internet buzzing for three reasons. First, it seemed to be a public contest for the wealthiest guest at the occasion. They made cash confetti in the air and put a carpet of notes on the floor. Second, the event evoked memories of cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, and his encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Third, and more worryingly, it posed a major question: are there two sets of laws for Nigerians, one for the common folk, and another for the rich and powerful?
Bobrisky seems made for the news. The latest is that he has finally flown overseas after Immigration officials bundled him off a KLM flight on the night of October 31 and promptly took him into custody over bribery allegations he reportedly made against the EFCC. Before the airport encounter, the 33-year-old social media influencer had presumably served a six-month prison sentence for abusing the naira. Showering people with Nigeria’s banknotes, or throwing them into the air like confetti, is common in the country but the law views it as an abuse of the currency and criminalises it.
As the Bobrisky naira rain video surfaced, the EFCC swiftly moved into action. They picked him up, had his mug shot taken and charged him to court. And the court was just as swift in reaching a judgment: six months in jail. All of this was widely publicised. But just when Nigerians’ attention was turning away from the controversial social media figure, a video of another naira splash surfaced believed to have been shot in the North. Whereas in the Bobrisky footage, he was seen dishing out the notes like a casino card dealer, the second footage featured several people splashing out the cash as though the money would soon cease to be legal tender. Curiously, the EFCC has not moved a muscle and has not apprehended the currency abusers. Nor has it issued a statement in that regard as it is wont to.
The anti-graft agency’s silence deepens concerns that it displays uncommon eagerness and agility when easy pickings are in contravention of the law but looks the other way when the high and mighty are the offenders. Where is the sense of equality before the law? That is why it is said that the jails are filled with the commoners and petty thieves while the rich crooks enjoy their loot in peace. Such a thing should not be said of the EFCC, which was established to bring the rich rogues to heel, which the regular police found difficult to do. The EFCC has a moral and professional obligation to prove that it is not as compromised or toothless as the police it replaced.
The second cash splash video coincided with the wedding of ex-governor Danjuma Goje’s daughter on October 25 at the National Mosque, Abuja. President Bola Tinubu and a raft of politicians, including the National Assembly leadership, and former and serving state governors were prominent guests at the event. Indeed, the social media was abuzz with speculations that the video was made at that wedding. But a spokesman for Goje, now a senator, has strongly denied the rumour, describing it as the attempts of “mischievous elements’ to tarnish the image of the revered family.”
That denial may be a relief for the Goje family but not the EFCC. It is clear from the video that guests at the event were people of immense social standing. The agency still has its work cut out. Why have Ola Olukoyede and his officials not swooped on them for turning the event into a currency fest? Why have they not issued any statement on it? The EFCC under Olukoyede has been battling with a reputation challenge. His well-publicised boast about bringing former governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello to trial is fresh in memory. The agency’s silence on the second cash rain has not done its image any good. Olukoyede and his team owe it to themselves and to Nigerians to catch those who outdid Bobrisky. Until they do, they have no moral ground to go after any lesser mortal.
And as long as the agency tarries in bringing those cash-abusing moneybags to book, they owe the cross-dresser a big apology and substantial compensation.
Source: Punch Editorial Board
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Anambra Police Command has debunked the allegation that it’s officers and men had hand in the mysterious death of one Mr Paul Onwualu at Npkor in Idemili North local government area.
The Police which confirmed the arrest of the suspect however explained that preliminary investigations has so far shown that there complications in the health status of the deceased leading to his demise .
SP Tochukwu Ikenga ,who is the Public Relations Officer of the Command stated in a release that ;
“The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the public that it has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of the late Mr Paul Onwualu in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State”
“Preliminary information available to the Command reveals that the officers allegedly involved in the arrest before the sudden complication of the deceased’s health, which later led to his death, have been identified, but are not operatives attached to the Anambra State Police Command”
“The Command assures Ndi Anambra and members of the public that the matter is being handled with the seriousness it deserves to ascertain the facts surrounding the unfortunate incident”
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc mnips PhD, urges residents to remain calm and allow the ongoing investigation to run its course, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to transparency, professionalism, and the protection of lives and property.” he said.
Neighbours reported that the event allegedly occurred around 3pm on Sunday, noting that the late Miss Amanda had been a victim of constant and ruthless maltreatment at the hands of her stepmother.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Enugu State, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, has expressed the state government’s anger over the incident, saying it would not relent until justice is done.
“It is on record that the Governor Peter Mbah Administration has zero tolerance for any form of child abuse, let alone child homicide. So, we swung into action on learning about this tragedy to ensure that the suspect was arrested.
“But it doesn’t end there. We will be pressing for thorough and expedited investigation to ensure that justice is not just done, but done really fast.
“Nobody should take another’s life and certainly not the life of any child in Enugu State. We condemn it in totality,” she stated.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
As suspected fake native doctors continue to face the long arm of the law in Anambra State, the government has now commenced a crackdown on alleged fake pastors who preach salvation without the gospel.
Already, scores of suspected fake pastors are reportedly in custody, with some said to have confessed to deceiving unsuspecting members of the public.
Governor Charles Soludo disclosed this during this year’s All Knights Day celebration held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, the governor said:
“The Governor also revealed an ongoing crackdown on fake pastors who exploit the vulnerable by preaching a gospel of ‘salvation without the cross,’ confirming that several are already in custody and confessing.”
He emphasized that a “New Anambra” is emerging and must be rid of deception and criminality, while reinforcing the church’s teaching that hard work remains the pathway to success.
The statement further read:
“In a firm demonstration of fiscal discipline, Governor Soludo granted a request from the Knights to support their charity visits to orphanages but declined a request for public funds to sew uniforms, stating he would not deploy state resources for private institutional regalia.”
The governor also urged the Knights to remain “the light of the world and the salt of the earth” by living according to principles rather than titles.
The event featured a Pontifical Mass celebrated by the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Paulinus Ezeokafor, while the homily was delivered by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Iheanacho.
In his sermon, Iheanacho reflected on the work of the Holy Spirit, describing knighthood as a process of “sober reflection, stock-taking, and reckoning” guided by strict tenets and discipline.
He reminded the Knights that true love for Christ is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments, discipline, humility, and courage.
The cleric also cautioned against elitist isolation, urging the Knights to remain connected with the people and preserve their human face and prophetic voice within the community.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Violent Crime Response Unit of the Anambra State Police Command has uncovered and destroyed an armoury belonging to suspected separatist gunmen at Owerre-Ezukala in Orumba South Local Government Area.
The operation, led by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Orebe Chidubem Matthew, followed intelligence obtained from a member of the gang currently in police custody.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police disclosed that the camp had previously been dislodged by a Joint Task Force on security operations. However, some members of the gang who escaped during the earlier raid reportedly regrouped and attempted to resume operations.
According to the statement, items recovered from the armoury include one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) with about 2,000 rounds of live chain ammunition, two fabricated rocket launchers with 25 propellers, 10 locally-made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), one locally-made Beretta pistol, two pump-action guns, three hand grenades, 10 rounds of K2 live ammunition, one gas cylinder, and one black Ecolac box.
“Recall that the camp was earlier destroyed by a Joint Security Team. Before the confession by the suspect in custody, intelligence had been received over time on how some escaped gang members were attempting to regroup. However, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit resisted and dismantled the camp following a gun duel with the unrepentant members,” the statement read.
The police further stated that some of the armed suspects fled the scene with varying degrees of bullet injuries sustained during the exchange of gunfire.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect in custody confessed to involvement in several violent attacks across Anambra State, including attacks on police facilities, the killing of security personnel comprising police, military, and civil defence officers, attacks on government facilities, and the murder of security operatives on stop-and-search duties on various roads in the state.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, noted that with the establishment of the Violent Crime Response Unit, operatives of the command are now better positioned and more motivated to sustain offensive operations against criminal elements threatening the peace and security of the state.
The Enugu State House of Assembly has ordered the immediate suspension of the salary of Dr. Kate Okolo, a staff member of the Enugu State College of Education, over her alleged involvement in a controversial land deal.
The directive was issued on Tuesday in Enugu by the Chairman of the House Special Committee on Land Conflicts, Mr. Okey Mbah, as part of an ongoing investigation into a decade-long land fraud.
Mbah emphasized that the suspension is not a witch-hunt but a clear signal that the era of impunity in land administration in the state is over.
The committee, currently probing petitions from staff of the institution and members of the public, accused key figures in the Women in College of Education Organisation (WICE) of engaging in land racketeering and fraudulent sales.
According to petitioners, the scheme—introduced between 2009 and 2011 under the leadership of the late Mrs. Ugoma Ndubisi and Dr. Okolo—encouraged individuals to market plots of land known as “WICE Land” to colleagues, friends, and family members.
One victim, who pleaded anonymity, told lawmakers they invested in the scheme because it was presented as a credible internal arrangement.
“We paid in full and have receipts, but for over 13 years, we have not been allocated any land,” the petitioner said.
Testimonies further revealed that the situation worsened following the death of Mrs. Ndubisi, with allegations that Dr. Okolo altered the original terms of the transactions.
“She changed the name from Ukano to Ukano Bold, increased the prices, reduced plot sizes, and claimed that many of us did not pay.
“We are now being asked to pay again for land we already purchased.
“All we want is either our land or our money back,” another petitioner stated.
In response, Mbah assured the petitioners that the Assembly remains committed to ensuring justice.
“We have listened to your grievances, and this committee will see this matter through to a logical conclusion.
“No one found culpable will be shielded,” he said.
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