In a pointed appearance on the Nollywood On Radio show, acclaimed actor Deyemi Okanlawon warned that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s blitz against naira abuse risks becoming a sideshow—one that zeroes in on glittering parties rather than Nigeria’s deeper corruption wounds.
“There are many corruption issues,” Okanlawon remarked, arguing that prosecuting entertainers for money-spraying ceremonies may distract from high-stakes graft that bleeds the nation’s coffers dry.
“Cultural” Doesn’t Mean Harmless
Okanlawon conceded that traditions like flamboyant cash-spraying abound at ceremonies, but he stressed that serviceable laws shouldn’t singularly target these rituals.
“Two things: I think that because something is cultural does not make it right,” he told the show’s hosts. “We have a culture that doesn’t emphasise maintenance of things—but our focus should be on crimes that truly undermine our institutions.”
EFCC’s Section 21 Weapon
Under Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, the EFCC has legal cover to prosecute anyone who sprays, dances on, or mutilates the naira. In recent weeks, socialite E-Money and singer Terry Apala found themselves in the dock for alleged violations, fueling headlines—and frustration among creative circles.
A Question of Priorities
For Okanlawon, the agency’s celebrity-centric sting overlooks more systemic abuses—money laundering, political bribery, and contract fraud—that erode public trust and stall development.
“Why stop at spraying?” he asked. “Let’s chase those embezzlements worth billions, not just the naira tossed at a wedding.”
Voices From the Frontlines
His comments echo concerns from other industry insiders—Nollywood stars Iyabo Ojo and AY Makun both reported EFCC questioning after casual spraying at events, illustrating how quickly cultural displays can land even the unassuming in legal crosshairs.
As the EFCC presses on—armed with cameras at galas and Section 21 mandates in hand—Okanlawon’s rallying cry is clear: enforce the naira’s dignity, yes—but not at the cost of ignoring the grand theft beneath the nation’s political veneer.
