Nigeria’s anti-graft agency – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told members of the public that it cannot prosecute old cases of naira abuse.
Against the backdrop of the case of controversial cross dresser, Idris Okunneye known as Bobrisky, who on April 12, was jailed six months for naira abuse, the attention of the EFCC has now been brought to several cases of naira abuse around the country.
However, the anti-corruption agency said its Special Task Force against Naira Abuse and Dollarization of the Economy came into existence on February 7, 2024 and it would not deal with cases before then.
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In a statement released on Sunday night by EFCC’s Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the commission said:
“Increasingly, members of the public are drawing the attention of the Commission to video recordings of abuse of the Naira by Nigerians from all walks of life.
“These gestures amply demonstrate the rising consciousness of the public to the sanctity of our national currency and the need for collaborative engagement to sustain the tempo.
“The Commission will always investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the abuse of the Naira”
But the statement said: “Old videos being exhumed and flying around for the attention of the Commission are noted as the Commission is sensitive to the fact that its Special Task Force against Naira Abuse and Dollarization of the Economy commenced operations on February 7, 2024.
“However, going forward, new videos of such infractions will be investigated and prosecuted.”
“Many of them have made useful statements to the Commission and many more have been invited by investigators working on the matter.
“The EFCC will not relent in its no-sacred-cow mode of operations and the public should be wary of running afoul of laws against the crime,” the statement said.
The statement reiterated the EFCC’S commitment to probing and prosecuting people abusing the naira. It said many celebrities were being investigated.