The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned Subomi and Wahab Okoya, sons of billionaire industrialist Razaq Okoya, for questioning over alleged abuse of the naira.
According to an invitation signed by Michael Wetkas, acting director of the EFCC Lagos directorate, the brothers are expected to appear before the special operations team at the agency’s office on Awolowo Road, Lagos, at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025.
The allegations stem from a promotional video featuring the Okoya brothers, where a police officer is seen holding wads of N1,000 notes while the brothers dance to a tune. The video has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with critics condemning it as a blatant disregard for the naira’s sanctity.
Muyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), confirmed on January 10 that the officer involved in the video has been arrested and detained for disciplinary action.
“The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of Lagos businessman Chief Okoya, where they were abusing the naira, has been identified and detained for disciplinary action,” Adejobi wrote on X.
He described the officer’s actions as unethical and reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to upholding its core values. “The involvement of the policeman has been condemned as unethical. We will always strive hard to uphold the sanctity, credibility, and core values of the police,” Adejobi added.
The EFCC has intensified its crackdown on naira abuse, citing Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, which prohibits such actions.
In April 2024, the EFCC arrested social media influencer Bobrisky for defacing naira notes in a viral video. The crossdresser was arraigned on a six-count charge in Lagos. Similarly, Cubana Chief Priest, another socialite, was charged with three counts of naira abuse in the same month.
The Okoya brothers’ case is the latest in a series of high-profile enforcement actions aimed at preserving the integrity of the naira. The EFCC’s investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected in the coming days.
