EFCC vows no one is above law as it prepares to question Tompolo over viral ₦1,000 note-spraying video.
WARRI, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally announced that Chief Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, will be summoned to answer questions over an alleged case of Naira abuse captured in a viral video.
The footage, which surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) on 11 May 2025, shows Tompolo’s 54th birthday celebration in April, where an unidentified aide sprays bundles of ₦1,000 notes as he dances.
This incident has reignited fierce debate over selective enforcement of currency‐spraying laws in Nigeria.
Background
Under Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act 2007, wilful mutilation or “abuse” of Naira notes is punishable by a term of imprisonment and/or a fine.
The EFCC has emphasised that “nobody is above the law” as it reiterated its stance in an official post on X on 12 May 2025.
The agency’s swift response marks one of its rare public statements addressing high‐profile figures outside the entertainment industry.
Public Outcry and Allegations of Double Standards
Social media users swiftly challenged the EFCC to treat Tompolo as it did Lagos socialite Emeka “E-Money” Okonkwo, who was arrested and briefly detained earlier this month for a similar offence.
Critics pointed out that Nollywood star Iyabo Ojo and comedian Ayo “AY” Makun were only invited for questioning, not arrested, prompting accusations of inconsistent enforcement.
Many Nigerians lamented that wealthy and well-connected individuals enjoy a “blind eye” from law enforcement when it suits powerful interests.
Precedents and Wider Implications
The EFCC’s track record includes probing public figures for currency abuses, yet outcomes have varied from arrests to informal warnings.
The renewed scrutiny on Tompolo—once a militia leader turned government contractor—raises questions about the agency’s impartiality, especially given his close ties to federal projects in the Niger Delta.
What Lies Ahead?
As the EFCC prepares its inquiries, analysts expect Tompolo’s lawyers to seek bail conditions that could mirror those granted to previous invitees.
Should formal charges be filed, the case will test Nigeria’s commitment to upholding currency laws uniformly, regardless of status.
For now, all eyes remain on the anti‐graft agency to see if it will turn rhetoric into action or fall prey to the very double standards it decries.
- Additional report by Kalada Jumbo and Omonigho Macaulay
