Although the character of spraying the Naira during a celebration had long been part of the social life of many Nigerians who have money, it was not until February that they were made to feel like doing this is a crime, and this is because they are now being prosecuted for this cultural spirit done on impulse.

The year for federal officials has started with trying to keep the local currency afloat at the background of dollar speculation weakening the Naira’s value. Now, that has heralded an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigation and subsequent prosecution of those found to be culpable of Naira abuse in recent times but the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi thinks making such moves is positioning the cart before the horse.

According to the Oba’s statement issued through his press secretary Alli Ibrahim on Wednesday 17 April, a nationwide campaign to educate people about acceptable ways of handling the Nigerian currency ought to have preceded any arrest being made.

A six months jail term meted out to cross-dresser Idris Olarewaju Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky by a Lagos Federal High Court last Friday told the public that spraying the Naira was more serious than they thought. His plea for leniency on the basis of being ignorant did not yield the response he sought as his sentencing came without the option of a fine.

There is a cultural spirit in Yoruba that forces you to spend money uncontrollably at your exciting moment, says Oba Akanbi.

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I’m sure the spirit will be tamed when people have public knowledge of possible penalties for naira abuse. The commission should not [place the cart] before the horse.

Having secured Bobrisky’s prosecution a week ago, next for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was to charge socialite Pascal Okechukwu who Instagrammers fondly call Cubana Chief Priest for abusing ₦500 notes at up to three events although he is working on making sure the charges that he contravened the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 (As Amended), does not stick.

The recent litigation by the EFCC against naira abuse is a misplaced priority, adds the Oluwo of Iwoland. The practice of spraying money is more cultural to the Yorubas and Igbos. There is a cultural spirit in Yoruba that forces you to spend money uncontrollably at your exciting moment. I’m sure the spirit will be tamed when people have public knowledge of possible penalties for naira abuse. The commission should not place the cart before the horse.

Instead of its moral assertion over who is right, the 57-year-old king thinks the EFCC should [devise] both print and electronic media to [enlighten] the public on those acts constituting naira abuse and spell out penalties. The public knowledge will unavoidably caution individuals and empower the commission to identify and punish arrogant naira abusers.

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.