Group petitions EFCC for Edo APC candidate’s prosecution over naira abuse

Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Edo State’s September 21 governorship election, is facing a six-month prison sentence under the Central Bank of Nigeria Act of 2007, after a coalition of civil society organisations led by the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria accused him of abusing the Nigerian currency, the naira.

The organisation filed a complaint against Okpebholo with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on May 2, 2024, in a petition addressed to the EFCC’s chairman.

The petition was signed by Victor Kalu, the group’s national coordinator, and Ali Abacha, the national secretary.

The coalition stated that the senator was guilty of naira abuse and mutilation, using the CBN Act of 2007, which makes such conduct criminal.

The group expressed its “disappointment that prominent individuals, including lawmakers, have violated this provision of the CBN Act.”

In the meantime, they 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 Mr. Okuneye Idris Olarewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, and Mr. Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cuban Chief Priest, who have faced legal consequences for their actions.”

While welcoming the EFCC’s actions, the coalition urged that all persons seen in viral videos abusing the Naira be arrested and brought to justice immediately, as no one is above the law.

They urged the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to examine the “viral video involving Senator Monday Okpebholo, who is seen engaging in Naira abuse and mutilation.”

They further stated that Okpebholo should be held accountable for his acts as a representative of the people.

They did, however, warn that failure to handle the viral video involving Okpebholo will result in the coalition taking additional measures.

They vowed to rally their members, friends, and democracy advocates to stage a peaceful protest against the EFCC if it did not address the viral video involving Okpebholo.

In his statement, the senator denied the claim, calling it fake.

Okpebholo, in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, branded the claim as a hatchet job aimed at slandering his reputation ahead of the September governorship election.

The APC flag bearer accused his enemies and the opposition camp of orchestrating the smear campaign.

While stating that he has never been arrested by the police for any civil or criminal violation, the APC flag bearer emphasised that the individual in the video circulating on social media was not him.

He said, “As a private and public person, I have never sprayed or mutilated the naira in my over 50 years on earth. It baffles me why these agents will fabricate fake news to tarnish my image ahead of the election. I therefore called on the IGP to investigate the faces behind the petition and prosecute them accordingly.

“They are scouting for fake news and non-existent things to blackmail me and lie to Edo people. Unfortunately, we know what they are up to. They are smelling the defeat already. Edo people have already decided, and no amount of state-sponsored intimidation will work.

“In Edo State, the President Bola Tinubu-led APC administration is working. The federal government is reconstructing federal roads in Edo Central, Edo North, and Edo South. That is why Edo people must take sides with the APC and vote for me as the next governor of Edo State. We will bring the federal government closer to the Edo people. We have been isolated for too long, and it is time to end that alienation.”

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