Nollywood actor, Deyemi Okanlawon, has voiced concerns over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s intensified campaign against naira abuse, particularly its emphasis on targeting entertainers.
Speaking during an interview on Nollywood On Radio, Okanlawon expressed disapproval of what he described as the agency’s disproportionate focus on the entertainment industry, despite widespread corruption and other crimes across various sectors in the country.
“Two things, I think that because something is cultural does not make it right. We have a culture that does not really emphasise on maintenance of things,” he said.
“We have seen how things are built and we do not maintain it so we continue in that light…
“They are saying have respect for the naira, have respect for your country, maybe that is the way to do it. But the second thing is that I also think there are so many issues with corruption and crime going on in the country across different segments of people.”
The actor stressed that public trust in EFCC’s actions would be stronger if the agency were seen actively prosecuting corrupt politicians and institutions.
“So this move by the agency to come against entertainers is a bit too much in the light of everything else that we are trying to deal with.
“If every day we hear about corrupt officials, politicians, or organisations being brought down by the agency, we’d be more likely to trust that they’re acting in our best interest. Then, if they ask us to stop something like spraying money, we’d likely obey without question because we’d trust that the agency has the moral right to make such requests.”
His remarks come amid a wave of high-profile cases involving alleged naira abuse.
Recently, TikTok personalities TDollar and TobiNation were sentenced to six months in prison.
Businessman E-Money was also arrested for allegedly abusing the dollar, although he was released a day later following EFCC interrogation.
Other notable figures caught in the EFCC’s crackdown include singer Terry Apala, who was remanded in Ikoyi correctional centre, and celebrities Iyabo Ojo and AY Makun, both of whom confirmed receiving EFCC invitations over money spraying incidents.
In March, the commission rearrested TikToker Murja Ibrahim Kunya in Kano for similar charges. The EFCC’s clampdown, bolstered by Section 21 of the CBN Act, has gained momentum in 2024 with the agency promising more investigations and prosecutions involving public figures.
