The monarch said the recent arraignment of people involved in naira abuse by the EFCC was a misplaced priority, as the practice of spraying money at social functions has become part of Yoruba and Igbo cultures.
The royal father, who declared that most Nigerians may be ignorant of those acts constituting naira abuse, urged the anti-graft agency to sponsor advertisements in print and electronic media to educate the populace on the issue.
Oba Akanbi’s intervention came on the heels of the recent clampdown by the EFCC on some celebrities who mishandled naira.
Controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, arraigned on offences bordering on naira abuse, was on Friday, April 12, 2024, sentenced to six months imprisonment without an option of fine by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
The monarch, who insisted that spraying of naira remains a common feature at social functions involving Yoruba and Igbo people, urged EFCC to exercise caution and redirect efforts to public enlightenment on sanctions applicable to mishandling of naira.
Commending the commission for its efforts to recover stolen public funds, Oba Akanbi, in a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, obtained in Osogbo on Wednesday, further said, “While commending the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for their efforts so far in recovering billions of stolen naira, I urge the commission to conduct comprehensive enlightenments for Nigerians on naira handlings.
“The recent litigations by the EFCC against naira abuse is a misplaced priority. The practice of spraying money is more cultural to the Yorubas and Igbos.
“There is a cultural spirit in Yoruba that forces you to spend money uncontrollably at your most exciting moments. I’m sure the spirit will be tamed when people are aware of possible penalties for naira abuse. The commission should not place the cart before the horse.
“The EFCC should use both print and electronic media to inform the public about acts constituting naira abuse and impose penalties.
“The public knowledge will unavoidably caution individuals and empower the commission to identify and punish arrogant naira abusers.”
