- In the video, Wahab and Raheem Okoya are dressed in white agbada outfits and flaunting stacks of crisp N1000 notes to promote the latter’s new song titled, “Credit Alert”.
- As the video continued, it captured the mobile policeman holding bundles of N1000 notes, while the billionaire’s sons danced and flung the cash into the air.
The Nigerian Police Force has taken an officer into custody after a viral video showed them seemingly mishandling the naira alongside the sons of billionaire Razaq Okoya.
The officer was seen holding large amounts of naira notes while Subomi ‘Sirheem’ Okoya and his brother Wahab danced to a tune.
The video was allegedly a promotional clip for Sirheem’s new song.
This incident has sparked concerns about the recurring abuse of Nigeria’s currency and the use of police officers for private business. In 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) increased its enforcement of naira abuse by celebrities, citing Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.
For instance, Bobrisky, a social media celebrity, was arrested in Lagos on April 4 for defacing naira notes.
The crossdresser was arraigned on a six-count charge by the EFCC. Similarly, the EFCC filed a three-count charge against Cubana Chief Priest, a socialite and social media influencer, over alleged naira abuse.
Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, stated that the officer in the video has been detained and will face disciplinary action.
“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,” Adejobi wrote on X.
Adejobi added, “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.”
Subomi ‘Sirheem’ Okoya apologized to the police, stating that his actions were naive and unintentional. “To the Nigerian people, my actions were not to cause any trouble or harm. My intentions were pure and naive,” he wrote on X.
According to Section 21 of the CBN Act, tampering with a coin or note issued by the Bank is punishable by imprisonment for at least six months or a fine of at least N50,000, or both.