Subomi Okoya, the son of Nigerian billionaire businessman Razaq Okoya, has issued a public apology to the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian public.
This comes after a video of him and his brother Wahab abusing the nation’s currency went viral.
In the footage, the Okoya brothers are seen spraying naira notes during a gathering, while a police officer, who was attached to them, holds stacks of the currency.
Subomi’s apology comes after the officer seen in the video was detained by the Nigeria Police Force for his involvement in the incident.
The act of spraying or mishandling naira notes is a direct violation of Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, which explicitly prohibits any form of currency abuse.
This includes spraying, defacing, or mutilating the naira, actions that are punishable by law.
The viral video sparked public outrage, as many Nigerians viewed it as a flagrant disregard for the country’s currency and its value.
The Nigeria Police Force took swift action, identifying and detaining the officer seen in the video. In a statement posted on their official X account (formerly Twitter), the police confirmed that disciplinary measures would be taken against the officer involved.
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“The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of Lagos businessman Chief Okoya, where they were seen abusing the naira, has been identified and detained for disciplinary action,” the NPF said.
This incident has drawn comparisons to a similar case in 2024, when popular socialite and cross-dresser Okuneye Idris, known as Bobrisky, was arrested and imprisoned for a similar offense of naira abuse.
In Bobrisky’s case, the misuse of the currency occurred during an event where she was seen spraying naira notes in a similar manner, leading to public backlash and legal consequences.
Subomi Okoya’s apology, in which he expressed that he was unaware of the legal ramifications of such actions, has aimed to address the public outcry.
He acknowledged the gravity of the situation and extended his remorse to the police force and Nigerians at large for any offense caused by the incident.
Despite the apology, many have called for stronger accountability measures to ensure that such actions do not go unpunished, particularly given the officer’s involvement.
The Nigeria Police Force has emphasized that the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the sanctity of the nation’s currency and the legal consequences of violating this crucial law.
As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on the ongoing disciplinary actions and the broader public discussion surrounding currency abuse in Nigeria.
Crediblenewsng.com
