The arrest and possible arraignment, later today, of Bobrisky, the popular cross-dresser by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for abuse of the Naira, is a clear attestation to the determination of the EFCC to restore ethical sanity to the use of the Naira.
I recall urging the financial crimes fighting agency not to rest on its oars or make its campaign against abuse of the Naira an appearance of engagement rather than substance after it secured the conviction of Nigerian actress, Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, in February of this year.
The arrest of Bobrisky, real name, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, will particularly serve as a watershed in the fight against spraying and marching on Naira notes in the name of socialising and gifting at social engagements. Investigations indicate that Bobrisky is a serial abuser of the Naira. On 24 March 2024, he was alleged to have tampered with the sum of N400,000 by spraying the same while dancing at a social event at the IMAX Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos.
Between July and August, 2023, Bobrisky was also alleged to have tampered with another sum of N50,000 by spraying same at a social event while dancing.
Again, in December, 2023, the EFCC says it has video evidence showing that the same Bobrisky also sprayed and tampered with another sum of N20,000 while dancing.
It’s still disconcerting that many Nigerians continue to routinely abuse the Naira notes at social engagements in the name of showing off their material status. This is disrespectful of the essence of the sovereignty of the Nigerian state. The Naira is a legal tender, meant for economic transactions not to be thrown around and marched upon in noxious shows of exhibitionism.
The kind of value, either in transactions or social reverence and integrity we desire for the Naira must start with how we relate with it at both personal and social levels.
On this note, let me remind those who may not know or those who have decided to ignore it that the so called spraying of the Naira is outlawed by legislation. Though it is a common place spectacle in Nigeria, it is nothing but a criminal act for which people are now being arrested like Bobrisky and jailed like Oluwadarasimi.
Nze Chidi Duru, OON, is a serial entrepreneur and the Founder/Chairman, Grand Towers Limited
