Despite NBA’s opposition, EFCC arrests another for abuse of naira
Notwithstanding the stance of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Lagos and Ikeja branches, on the powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to prosecute naira abuse offenders, the agency has yet announced the latest arrest of Janty Emmanuel.
Dele Oyewale, spokesperson of the EFCC, in his statement on Tuesday, said that the agency arrested Emmanuel on Monday after she was spotted spraying naira notes at an event. The offender, Oyewale stated, admitted committing the offence when shown a video evidence.
“Upon arrest, the suspect was shown the video where she was dancing at G-Connect, Tumfure, Gombe State and spraying Naira notes of N1000 denomination,” the statement reads.
“She admitted committing the crime. She will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”
The agency had previously prosecuted and secured a six-month jail term for a cross-dresser and internet celebrity, Bobrisky, for committing similar offence. But legal opinions have differed on the proprietary of the EFCC prosecuting of naira abuse offenders.
In its recent report, TheCornet had quoted Olabisi Makanjuola, chairman of NBA, Lagos branch, as saying that the agency lacked the powers to do so.
His counterpart, Oluseyi Olawunmi, of the NBA-Ikeja branch, expressed a similar view as Makanjuola’s.
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”The EFCC does not have the power to prosecute the offence of naira abuse. This is because by virtue of Section 46 of the EFCC Act 2004, abuse of naira is not listed as one of the offences it can prosecute,” Makanjuola, a partner with leading law firm Olaniwun Ajayi LP, stated.
