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Obi Cubana, Folashade Tinubu… Popular Nigerians Who Went Scot-Free After Abusing Naira
Dozens of reactions have trailed the sentencing of Idris Okuneye, a male crossdresser popularly referred to as Bobrisky, to six months in jail without the option of a fine.
While sentencing Okuneye on Friday, Justice Abimbola stated that his conviction would serve as a deterrent to other Nigerians fond of abusing and mutilating the naira.
“The act of mutilating the naira notes has become a menace, which has continued to damage the image of the country. Enough of people mutilating and tampering with our currencies. It has to stop. His will serve as a deterrent to others,” the justice said.
Nigerians on X have argued that the sentencing was selective, as many Nigerian politicians and celebrities have been caught on tape abusing the naira without prosecution.
Dele Farotimi, a lawyer and public speaker, said, “Bobrisky sprayed naira notes at a party and the diligent EFCC and an upright judge sent him to prison for 6 months, in a country ruined by peerless venal crooks and career criminals.”
Elochukwu Ohahi, another X user, wrote, “When will the EFCC jail the politicians caught on camera abusing Naira? Only fools will think this is about Naira abuse.”
FIJ has found videos of Nigerian politicians, monarchs and popular celebrities doing what Bobrisky did with the naira.
Folashade Tinubu, daughter of President Bola Tinubu, was once caught ‘spraying’ naira notes on the Akogun of Egba. This video was published on December 11, 2019, and has remained in the public domain for nearly five years.
In the six-minute-long video, Folashade maintains a straight face as she throws wads of naira notes in the air. These notes fall to the ground and the women in the scene dance and step on them.
As of press time, Folashade has neither been arrested nor charged for this offence, which is believed to contravene Section 21 (3) of the CBN Act, 2007.
This act criminalises spraying, dancing on or stepping on notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
A 21-minute footage of Ibrahim Abuna, a Borno State lawmaker, throwing N200 notes at people in his residence in 2022 is trending on the internet, and he has not been convicted.
Nigerian lawmaker throwing naira notes into the air
In August 2023, after becoming Minister of Arts and Culture, Hannatu Musawa went on to celebrate with fanfare and music. She was caught on camera spraying a musician.
The CBN issued a statement saying it was ready to confront Musawa for her actions, but she never had her day in court.
On February 17, FIJ also reported how Oba Aremo Sowemimo, the Olu of Owode Egba in Ogun State, was only suspended for two months without pay after using the naira as a garland during his 13th anniversary as monarch.
Also, a video of Lagos State’s latest ambassador, Pelumi Nubi, a Nigerian woman who drove on a solo trip from London to Lagos and was recently awarded a house and car, is being shared on social media.
A video of Nubi spraying and stepping on the naira note
Obi Cubana, a popular businessman, was also caught on camera chesting and kicking wads of naira notes in July 2021 during the burial ceremony of his mother.
This video remains on social media as of press time, and neither he nor the others in the video have made appearances in court for the offence.
On social media, Ayo Balogun, a Nigerian singer popularly known as Wizkid, has been caught on camera on several occasions throwing money to his fans.
Celebrity pastor Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as Odumeje, has also entertained naira rain on his church alter on several occasions.
In Nigeria, it is not uncommon for partygoers to ‘spray’ money on praise singers or celebrants. Segun Johnson, a popular praise singer whom Okuneye is jailed for ‘spraying’, has posted several videos on his social media page showing celebrities ‘spraying’ money on him in violation of the same CBN act.
FIJ understands that none of these people have been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or arraigned in any court in Nigeria.
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Shettima becomes 1st VP to lead Nigeria’s delegation to UN Assembly in 25 yrs
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided not to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York this year.
The president has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, according to a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.”
“The high-level General Debate, with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,’ will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024,” the statement added.
Since return to democratic governance in 199, Shettima will be the first Vice President to Nigeria’s delegation to UNGA.
Only Goodluck Jonathan represented Nigeria as Acting president in September 2010 at the 65th UNGA, while late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was away in Saudi Arabia due to his ill health.
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Plateau Assembly approves N5.8bn for LG election
The Plateau State House of Assembly, on Thursday, approved N5.8bn for the conduct of the local government election in the state slated for October 9, 2024.
The approval by the House followed a communication from Governor Caleb Mutfwang, which was read at plenary by the Assembly Speaker, Gabriel Dewan.
The Speaker stated that the request was necessary as there was no budgetary allocation for the LG elections in the 2024 budget.
A member of the State Assembly, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak for the Assembly, confirmed the development to The PUNCH in Jos on Thursday.
The lawmaker said, “Governor Mutfwang, at Tuesday’s plenary, sought the House’s approval for N5.7bn as the 2024 supplementary, which was increased after upward review by the legislators.”
He continued, “The House leader, Joseph Bukar, presented the bill during our plenary. While soliciting the support of members for speedy passage, he said PLASIEC was running out of time in preparation for the election.”
“In their individual contributions, Hon. Kalamu Dal suggested a downward review of the budget size, while Hon. Daniel Nanbol urged for a critical review and deliberations. Afterwards, members approved a revised sum of N5.8bn, as opposed to the N5.7bn requested.”
The increase, as explained by Bukar, was due to an increase in security allocation for the election, from N2.7m to N4.2m. “So, that is what happened, and that is where we are at the moment regarding the forthcoming LG election,” the lawmaker concluded.
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Enugu, Kwara tighten security ahead of LG polls
Security measures have been intensified in Enugu and Kwara states ahead of their Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
In Enugu State, the Police Command has pledged to ensure the safety of lives and properties during the elections.
However, the peace accord signing for the elections was marred by the absence of major parties like the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, and Labour Party.
Only representatives from the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Accord attended but chose not to sign the accord, citing the lack of participation from the leading parties.
Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, said all wards and flashpoints had been identified, and security personnel would be on high alert to prevent any disruptions.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Chris Ngwu, said the commission was fully prepared for the elections with the support of the state government in procuring necessary materials.
In Kwara State, security agencies have been actively coordinating to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Over 3,000 personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been deployed across the state.
The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission has completed arrangements for a trouble-free election.
Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, reported that a strategic meeting with heads of various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and others, had been held to ensure coordinated efforts for maintaining law and order.
The Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, guaranteed maximum security for the election period.
The NSCDC Commandant, Dr. Umar Mohammed, announced the deployment of 3,000 personnel to various polling units and emphasised their role in preventing violence, ballot snatching, and other disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, Telumun Tombowua, announced on Thursday that eight political parties will participate in the upcoming LG elections in the state, scheduled for October 5, 2024.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi, Tombowua said the election would be conducted fairly and transparently.
He emphasised that the law establishing the BSIEC does not permit the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation Machines for this election.
Regarding the APC, Tombowua confirmed that the National Working Committee of the party had requested the commission to work with the seven-man caretaker committee appointed to oversee party affairs in the state.
He noted that while 14 parties had initially shown interest, only eight completed the necessary processes and submitted their candidates.
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