The Nation

EFCC arrests Edo government official Kelly Okungbowa over ‘naira abuse’

March 18, 2025 11:29 am

Kelly Okungbowa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Kelly Okungbowa, popularly called Ebo Stone, over alleged naira abuse.

Okungbowa, who was coordinator of the Edo state Public Safety Response Team (PSRT), was arrested on Monday following a viral video clip which showed him spraying minted naira notes on two strippers at a private party.

He was subsequently suspended by the state government for the action.

“Okungbowa, who until recently was the coordinator of the Edo State Public Safety Response Team, PSRT, now suspended by the state Government, was arrested owing to a viral video where he was seen spraying and mutilating the Naira at a bar on March 9, 2025,” the statement from the EFCC reads.

“He will be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act of 2007 prohibits the abuse of naira notes, including spraying, stepping on, or mishandling currency. Offenders face a six-month prison term, a N50,000 fine, or both.

Authorities have previously enforced this law, notably in February 2024, when actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin was sentenced to six months in prison for stepping on naira notes.

In May 2024, socialite Bobrisky received a similar sentence, while businessman Cubana Chief Priest later settled his case out of court.