The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pledged on its verified handle on May 12, 2025, that it will question renowned Niger-Delta figure, Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, over alleged Naira abuse.
“Nobody is above the law. Tompolo will have questions to answer,” the anti-graft agency wrote on its social media page after a video surfaced online showing Tompolo allegedly dancing as naira notes were sprayed around him.
The post included a still image of Tompolo in the clip, and the language promised accountability.
EFCC Post
Though on May 25, 2025, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed that the commission was investigating the allegation of Naira abuse against ex-militant leader Tompolo.
He explained that the viral video, which led to the public outcry against Tompolo, was undergoing forensic analysis.
To this end, he warned that nobody should rush to condemn the former militant leader but wait for the outcome of the investigation.
The EFCC chairman, however, reiterated that nobody is above the law.
Olukoyede made the submissions during an interview with TVC in which he made a fresh reaction to the video, which showed a man spraying ₦1,000 notes lavishly as Tompolo danced during his 54th birthday celebration.
Reacting to the viral footage, Olukoyede said: “We have invited Tompolo, the whole Nigerians know that, and we said there is no human that is above the law.
“Nobody should go and condemn Tompolo for the allegation. It’s a mere allegation for now. We have subjected the video to forensic analysis because these days, people can impose… you know?
“Not until we conclude the case, we cannot say Tompolo is guilty or not. We must give every Nigerian fair hearing or benefit of doubt.”
However, months later, there is no public confirmation that a decisive action was taken or an update from the anti-graft agency on its investigation into the viral money spraying video involving Tompolo, raising concerns about enforcement consistency and the EFCC’s commitment to the rule of law.
News360 Info reports that abuse of the naira, including spraying, stepping on, or dancing on notes, is proscribed under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act of 2007, and the EFCC has regularly prosecuted such offences in recent months.
EFCC Arrests Over Naira Abuse
In May, the EFCC, Kano State Directorate, secured the conviction and sentence of popular social media influencer Murja Ibrahim Kunya, who was tried before Justice Simone Amobeda at the Federal High Court in the state.
News360 Info understands that Kunya was taken into custody for allegedly playfully spraying naira notes while staying in a hotel room at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano.
Her initial arrest occurred in January 2025 for contravening the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, which forbids the misuse and mutilation of the naira.
She was granted administrative bail by the commission while awaiting her arraignment at the Federal High Court in Kano. However, she failed to appear in court, attempting to evade the legal proceedings.
Following several weeks of thorough investigation and surveillance, EFCC operatives successfully re-arrested the TikTok influencer on Sunday, March 16, 2025. She was later arraigned on May 20, 2025, where she entered a guilty plea to the one-count amended charge.
Earlier in April, the EFCC reportedly arrested Lagos socialite, Emeka Okonkwo Daniel, also known as E-Money, over allegations of abusing the Naira note and defacing foreign currencies.
According to sources within the commission, E-Money was taken into custody after the arrest at his residence in the Omole area of Lagos.
The arrest follows allegations that the socialite was involved in the illegal act of spraying United States dollars, an activity that allegedly violates the Foreign Exchange Act.
An EFCC source disclosed to Punch at the time that, “On Monday night, we arrested E-Money for Naira abuse and defacing foreign currencies. Specifically, he was alleged to have sprayed U.S. dollars, which is against the Foreign Exchange Act.”
The source further revealed that E-Money was undergoing preliminary investigations and will be charged in court once the investigation is concluded.
“He was arrested at his Omole, Lagos residence. Preliminary investigations are ongoing, and he will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the source confirmed.
On April 5, 2024, Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos convicted controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, for abusing the Naira.
The Judge found Bobrisky guilty of the charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
News360 Info recalls that Bobrisky had earlier told the court that he was not aware of the law on abusing the naira and pleaded with the Judge to allow him to use his platform to educate Nigerians and the general public.
However, Justice Awogboro dismissed his request, maintaining that ignorance of the law was not an excuse.
The cross-dresser said, “I know, My Lord. My Lord, I wish that you could give me a second chance to use my platform to inform and educate my followers about spraying money.
“I would do a video on my page and I will educate people about spraying money.
“I will not repeat it again. I regret my actions.”
News360 Info recalls that earlier in the case on Friday, Bobrisky had pleaded guilty to the charges slammed against him by the EFCC.
EFCC Still Mum On Tompolo
News360 Info reports that given the high-profile nature of the video involving Tompolo, a Niger-Delta security contractor and politically powerful figure, the EFCC’s statement raised expectations of swift action.
Despite earlier promises, the EFCC has not issued a fresh public statement on the Tompolo matter.
As of today, Monday, October 20, 2025, no transparency has been offered regarding any summons, interrogation, or decision to prosecute him, even as lower‐profile cases have seen rapid arrests.
