The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended Kelly Okungbowa, also known as Ebo Stone, the former coordinator of the now-suspended Edo State Public Safety Response Team (PSRT), over allegations of naira abuse. The arrest followed the viral circulation of a video in which Okungbowa was seen spraying and mutilating Naira notes at a bar on March 9, 2025.
According to a statement from the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the controversial video led to public outrage and prompted the EFCC to take action. Okungbowa, who was still serving as the PSRT coordinator at the time, was arrested after the video raised concerns about the violation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, which strictly prohibits the abuse and defacement of the national currency.
In a separate incident, the EFCC also arrested Murja Kunya, a popular TikTok influencer, for a similar offence. Kunya, who had previously been arrested in January 2025 for spraying Naira notes during a hotel stay at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano, was granted administrative bail pending her arraignment. However, she absconded and evaded the legal process.
Following extensive surveillance and investigation, EFCC operatives tracked and re-arrested Kunya on Sunday, March 16, 2025. She is currently in custody and awaiting formal arraignment before the Federal High Court in Kano.
These arrests underscore the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to address the growing concerns over the mutilation and misuse of Nigeria’s currency, a practice that continues to spark widespread public criticism.
