ON April 3, 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested and detained popular Nigerian crossdresser Idris Olanrewaju, known as Bobrisky, for naira abuse and currency mutilation.
Bobrisky was arrested for violating the Central Bank Nigeria (CBN) Act, Section 21, which states that “Anyone caught tampering with the naira note will face legal consequences.”
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, was quoted as saying during the arrest, “Bobrisky is with us. He was arrested last night in Lagos, and he is at our Lagos command. We arrested him for alleged abuse of naira notes, spraying of naira notes, and currency mutilation, among other things. We are very serious about restoring the dignity of the naira.”
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The ICIR reported that some days after, the crossdresser was charged to a Federal High Court in Lagos, where he was sentenced to six months imprisonment without an option of a fine.
The court’s judgement on Bobrisky generated mixed reactions. Many Nigerians criticised the anti-corruption agency for being selective in prosecuting naira abusers.
In 2023, the then Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, ordered the arrest and prosecution of Nigerians selling, spraying or generally abusing naira notes in the country.
Several videos have surfaced on social media platforms, including X, Instagram, and TikTok, showing public officials, monarchs, and some Nigerian celebrities spraying the naira notes in public. As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC and related agencies are yet to arrest any of them.
Some of these videos and reports exposed the Governor of Niger State, Umaru Bago, a lawmaker from Borno State, Ibrahim Abuna, and the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa abusing the naira.
The CBN had said it would prosecute the minister but she has continued as a cabinet member in President Bola Tinubu’s government without an arrest.
Another video showed how the Olu of Owode-Egba, Ogun State, Aremo Sowemimo, sprayed naira on a musician during an event. The ICIR reported that the monarch was suspended by his aggrieved fellow monarchs for two months.
There are also social media post of children of politically exposed persons of spaying the the naira notes.
Another popular businessman known as Cubana chief priest, was recorded abusing the naira note at an outdoor event.
Kehinde Ogunyale tells stories by using data to hold power into account. You can send him a mail at jameskennyogunyale@gmail or Twitter: Prof_KennyJames | LinkedIn: Kehinde Ogunyale