A senior Edo State government official, Kelly Okungbowa, is facing public backlash after a video surfaced online showing him spraying naira notes on strippers at a private party.
Okungbowa, who serves as the Chairman of the Edo State Asset Recovery Committee and the State Coordinator of the Public Safety Response Team (PSR), is known to be a close associate of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The viral video, which emerged over the weekend, shows Okungbowa throwing bundles of cash into the air as two scantily dressed women dance around him, rubbing the naira notes on their bodies.
Legal Implications and Public Reactions
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act of 2007 strictly prohibits the abuse of the naira, including spraying, stepping on, or mishandling currency notes. Violators face a ₦50,000 fine, a six-month prison sentence, or both.
In the past, authorities have prosecuted offenders for similar actions:
– February 2024: Actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin was sentenced to six months in prison for stepping on naira notes.
– May 2024: Socialite Bobrisky faced a similar conviction for naira abuse.
– Cubana Chief Priest also had to settle his case out of court after being charged.
The release of Okungbowa’s video has sparked renewed debate over whether the law applies equally to politicians and private citizens.
Civil society groups, including Concerned Edo Youth, have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute him.
Speaking on the issue, Joseph Gbale, the group’s president, accused the government of double standards:
“They harass traders and motorists under the guise of public safety while engaging in the same reckless behavior behind closed doors.”
Political Fallout and Governance Challenges
This scandal adds to growing public dissatisfaction with Governor Okpebholo’s administration, which is already battling corruption allegations and governance challenges.
Recent controversies include:
– Suspension of the Public Safety Response Team following the tragic death of two-year-old Gift Kelly Osahon.
– The governor’s Attorney General was suspended over corruption allegations.
– Ongoing conflict with President Bola Tinubu’s administration over local government control.
With the Edo State governorship tribunal ruling on Okpebholo’s contested election approaching, this latest scandal could further damage his administration’s credibility.
No Official Response Yet
As of now, Kelly Okungbowa and the Edo State government have not released any official statements regarding the video.
