The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to take action against Chief Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, over an alleged case of naira abuse.
On Sunday, Nigerians on various social media platforms had challenged the commission to arrest Tompolo, an activist and former militant leader from Delta State allegedly abusing naira in a viral video.
The controversy was ignited by a viral video posted on X.com on Sunday by Harrison A who tweets as #harreceipts with the caption, “EFCC, see Tompolo and the Naira o.”
The clip was recorded in April during Tompolo’s 54th birthday.
Tompolo, dressed in white and red attire, was captured dancing in the video while a man holding a bundle of N1,000 notes sprayed the Delta activist.
The practice of spraying naira notes into the air and onto individuals is considered illegal by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and punishable by law.
In April 2024, controversial crossdresser, Idris Olarewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, was sentenced to six months imprisonment for abusing the naira.
Last month, popular Lagos socialite, Emeka Okonkwo Daniel (a.k.a. E-Money), was also arrested by the EFCC for allegedly abusing the Naira note and defacing foreign currencies by allegedly spraying U.S. dollars.
Popular Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, and Nigeria comedian Ayo Makun, were similarly invited and quizzed by the EFCC last week over allegations relating to currency spraying.
Others like Wahab and Raheem Okoya, sons of billionaire Chief Razaq Okoya, were invited by the EFCC in January for questioning after flaunting and spraying naira notes in a music promotion video.
However, with the emergence of Tompolo’s video, Nigerians have accused the EFCC for being selective in law enforcement are speculating that the EFCC may turn a blind eye to the viral video.
As Tompolo’s video continues to trend on social media, Nigerians have dared the EFCC to arrest Tompolo to prove its credibility, while others mocked the agency’s integrity.
Najeeb Bello who tweets on X.com as #NejeebBello wrote, “Once e reach their Oga and him friends, “Eee Eff See See” go turn “Eee Eff Blind Blind”. No be just Tompolo, but what of these Folawiyo Eleganza sons wey record and publish video of themselves dey abuse Naira?”
OurFavOnlineDoc also called out the agency saying, “Here is Tompolo mutilating the Naira. I know the eyes of that your eagle will suddenly go blind but I am bringing this to your attention publicly so the whole world will see you are a shameless agency with double standards.”
Meek Rapheal tweeting as #MeekRapheal similarly wrote, “Okoya’s son is still working freely and you expect them to go for Tompolo, their laws are only effective when the offender is not from the rich class, same with every security agency in Nigeria none is truly for the masses.”
However, after being called out, the commission responded by posting screenshot of the video where Tompolo is allegedly abusing naira with a caption; “Nobody is above the law. Tompolo will have questions to answer.”
