The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has detained an officer seen holding bundles of naira notes for the children of billionaire industrialist, Razaq Okoya, in a viral video.
In a statement issued on Friday, police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the arrest and detention of the officer.
The officer whose identity was not disclosed held wads of naira notes while Subomi ‘Sirheem’ Okoya, a young musician, and his brother Wahab, were spraying the notes and dancing.
The video raised concerns about naira abuse and the private use of police officers by Sirheem and his brother.
“The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of the Lagos businessman, Chief Okoya, where they were abusing the naira, has been identified and detained for disciplinary action.
“The involvement of the policeman has been condemned, as it’s unethical. We will always strive hard to uphold the sanctity, credibility, and core values of the police,” Adejobi tweeted.
While reacting on X, Subomi ‘Sirheem’ Okoya tendered an apology to the police, adding that he was naive and ignorant of the consequences for such action.
Subomi said; “…to the Nigerian people, my actions were not to cause any trouble or harm. My intentions were pure and naïve.
“I ask for your forgiveness and support in this situation as I had no intention to raise such an alarm. I wasn’t fully aware of the consequences of my action.”
Relying on Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had recently clamped down on naira abuse by celebrities.
On April 4, cross dresser and social media personality, Bobrisky, was detained and charged with six counts of defacing naira notes at an event by the Lagos commission. He was sentenced to six months in prison.
Similarly, businessman and socialite, Cubana Chief Priest, was charged with three counts by the EFCC for allegedly abusing the naira.
Meanwhile, some Nigerians on X have questioned the decision to arrest the police officer while the Okoya sons who were seen abusing the naira have yet to be picked up.
Below are some of the reactions:
@Irunnia_ on X said “The sons of Chief Okoya abused money and they were not punished. It was the policeman standing on his own that was punished. Omo Davido was right. In this life, have money or you go suffer “
Another X user @Slanddi tweeted: “The law is for the helpless obviously, so the boy is above it, and a reminder that the woman who assaulted a man has not been arrested as swiftly as the woman who assaulted the little child was, oh the law is for the common poor citizen obviously.”
@Seanpepisky on X wrote; “The son of a rich man abuse money , you are disciplining the police officer assigned to the boy for doing the job he’s assigned to do. Hmmm that’s a cowardly move, why not arrest okoya’s son for abuse of money abi he’s above the law because e get money ? Money stops nonsense in Nigeria , please try have MONEY o. Ire o”
@emperorzola tweeted; “2 rich guys abuse the Naira, one poor police man acted unethical but na the poor man una arrest. So Naira abuse no be offence because they’re rich man children abi?”