The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has clarified that politicians and celebrities who abused the naira at social functions before February 7 will be let off the hook since their offences occurred before the launch of the commission’s Special Task Force against Naira Abuse.

Amid controversy over the sentencing of crossdresser Idris ‘Bobrisky’ Okuneye to six-month imprisonment without the option of a fine for spraying the naira, many citizens called the EFCC’s attention to other Nigerian elites like business mogul Obi Cubana, minister of arts Hannatu Musanawa, senator Ned Nwoko’s wife, Regina Daniels, captured on video spraying the naira at social gatherings.

Non-prosecution of minister or business mogul who brazenly abused the naira at social occasions triggered speculations that the crossdresser was being unfairly punished given that it took only a week for the EFCC to arrest, prosecute and sentence him.

In his response, head of EFCC’s media unit, Dele Oyewale, explained that only currency abusers from the time the Special Task Force Against Naira Abuse was established would be prosecuted, implying that old videos would be disregarded.

“Old videos being exhumed and flying around for the attention of the commission are noted as the commission is sensitive to the fact that its Special Task Force against Naira Abuse and Dollarisation of the economy commenced operations on February 7, 2024,” Mr Oyewale said in a statement Sunday.

He stated, “However, going forward, new videos of such infractions will be investigated and prosecuted.”