As the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, intensifies raids, arrests and prosecution of persons alleged to have abused the national currency, the Naira, Delta State Orientation Bureau, has advised citizens to avoid actions or inactions that would constitute violation of Section 21(1) and Section 20(5) of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
The Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Orientation Bureau, DSOB, Barrister Latimore Oghenesivbe, in a statement on Wednesday, said EFCC taskforce on abuse of the Naira has activated and reinforced operational strategies in all zones of the commission, including Delta State, aimed at preserving the integrity of the national currency by the federal government.
He listed several ways and means by which bank notes can be abused in violation of the relevant provisions of the CBN Act 2007, to include; spraying of the Naira at social gatherings or events, writing on bank notes, stapling of bank notes due to corrosion caused by the pins, tearing bank notes, selling of bank notes at events and parties, mutilation and rejection of bank notes, as well as, money bouquet arranged in a way similar to flower bouquet, which offers the smell of freshly printed bills that one can spend at social gatherings and events.
Oghenesivbe, who is also the Executive Assistant on Communications to governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, said the wave of arrests and prosecution of offenders by the EFÇC underscored the need for the Bureau to commence sensitization campaigns, so as to prevent citizens of the state from breaking the law, pointing out that law breakers cannot plead ignorance as a defence in civil and criminal jurisdictions.
He said the ongoing efforts to preserve the integrity of the Naira, which took effect from February this year, was long overdue, while commending EFCC for securing 24 convictions across the country, and over 200 alleged offenders including Mr Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, are facing prosecution across the 14 zones of the commission nationwide.
“It is crystal clear that the federal government is determined to put an end to the abuse of the national currency, the Naira. EFCC special taskforce on currency mutilation and dollarization of the economy has activated operational strategies to arrest and prosecute offenders.
“Delta State Orientation Bureau is by this statement appealing to citizens of the state; urban and rural dwellers to avoid abuse of the Naira in the following ways and means; spraying of Naira notes or any other currency at parties and events, selling of Naira notes at parties and events, mutilation of Naira notes, dancing on top of Naira notes or any currency at parties and events, and do not reject Naira notes.
“Under the MORE Agenda of the governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, enhanced peace and security is necessary for upscaling development, which is why citizens must obey law and order.
“The state government has nothing to gain if any Deltan is arrested and prosecuted over abuse of Naira notes. We must Stop the mutilation, selling, buying, spraying and defacing Naira notes, to avoid arrest and prosecution,” Oghenesivbe said.
