The Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has advised the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct comprehensive enlightenment for Nigerians on naira handlings before enforcing penalties.
Oluwo said most Nigerians are ignorant of those acts constituting naira abuse, urging the commission to sponsor advertisements on print and electronic media to educate the populace.
He charged EFCC to exercise caution and redirect their efforts to public enlightenment on naira handling and impending punishment for offenders. He commended the commission on their productive efforts in recovering stolen billions.
The monarch, in a statement through his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, reads, “While commending the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for their efforts so far in recovering billions of stolen naira, I urge the commission to conduct comprehensive enlightenment for Nigerians on naira handlings.”
“The recent litigations by the EFCC against naira abuse is a misplaced priority. The practice of spraying money is more cultural to the Yorubas and Igbos. There is a cultural spirit in Yoruba that forces you to spend money uncontrollably at an exciting moment. I’m sure the spirit will be tamed when people have public knowledge of possible penalties for naira abuse. The commission should not place the cart before the horse.”
“EFCC should use both print and electronic media to enlighten the public on those acts constituting naira abuse and spell out penalties. Public knowledge will unavoidably caution individuals and empower the commission to identify and punish arrogant naira abusers.”
Oluwo enjoined EFCC to work with the government, especially the National Assembly, to include strict capital punishments for corrupt officials
According to him, “the habit of spraying naira is rampant among the Yorubas and Igbos, especially at cultural wedding, naming and burial ceremonies. He noted it has become a cultural habit in the two tribes, with very few exceptions.”
