The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released socialite Emeka Okonkwo, popularly known as E-Money, on bail after his arrest over allegations of naira abuse.
A source at the commission confirmed that E-Money was released on Tuesday and would be charged to court soon.
E-Money was arrested by the EFCC in the Omole area of Lagos State and taken into custody in Abuja for allegedly spraying naira and US dollar bills at a public event. This act is considered an offense contrary to Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. The EFCC has been intensifying efforts to curb the abuse of the nation’s currency, and E-Money’s arrest is part of this broader initiative.
The EFCC’s crackdown on naira abuse has led to several high-profile arrests. Recently, singer Terry Apala was remanded over alleged abuse of the country’s banknotes. The commission’s actions demonstrate its commitment to enforcing laws protecting the nation’s financial system.
In a related development, the EFCC arrested socialite Aisha Achimugu at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja shortly after she returned from London. Achimugu’s lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), confirmed the arrest, saying, “Aisha Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested by the EFCC around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.”
Ojukwu criticized the EFCC’s action, labeling it a violation of a court order. “In light of what transpired in court on Monday, my client returned based on the undertaking before the court to honour the EFCC’s invitation but was arrested at the airport,” Ojukwu said. He added that Achimugu had commenced a hunger strike to protest what he termed a breach of her fundamental rights, describing her as “a prisoner of conscience.”
The development comes a day after Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered Achimugu to appear before the EFCC and the court. The EFCC had declared Achimugu wanted in March over alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering. The circumstances surrounding her arrest and detention continue to unfold as the case progresses.
