Prominent Nollywood actor Deyemi Okanlawon has voiced strong criticism against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the anti-graft agency of disproportionately targeting entertainers in its recent crackdown on naira abuse. Okanlawon's remarks, made during an interview on "Nollywood on Radio" via YouTube, highlight a growing sentiment that the EFCC's focus may be misplaced given the broader issues of corruption and crime in Nigeria.
The Crackdown on Naira Abuse
The EFCC has recently intensified its campaign against the abuse of the Nigerian naira, leading to the questioning and in some cases, arraignment, of several public figures and entertainers. Among those invited or charged by the commission are popular cross-dresser and influencer Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky; actress Iyabo Ojo; comedian Ayo Makun; socialite Cubana Chiefpriest; actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin; and TikTokers T-dollar and Tobi Nation.
While some individuals received pardons after their encounters with the EFCC, others faced legal action. Notably, Bobrisky was sentenced in April 2024 to six months’ imprisonment without the option of a fine for naira abuse, a decision that sent ripples through the entertainment industry.
Okanlawon's Perspective: Culture vs. Crime
In his interview, Okanlawon acknowledged that while certain cultural practices might not be inherently right, including a societal tendency to neglect the maintenance of public infrastructure and resources, the EFCC's current approach seems imbalanced.
"Two things, I think that because something is cultural does not make it right. We have a culture that does not really emphasize on maintenance of things,” he stated. He drew a parallel, suggesting, "We have seen how things are built, and we do not maintain it, so we continue in that light…"
While recognizing the EFCC's efforts to foster respect for the naira and promote national pride, Okanlawon asserted that the agency's current focus on entertainers is excessive, especially when compared to the magnitude of corruption and crime pervading various sectors of the country.
"They are saying have respect for the naira, have respect for your country, maybe that is the way to do it," Okanlawon conceded. "But the second thing is that I also think there are so many issues with corruption and crime going on in the country across different segments of people. So, this move by the agency to come against entertainers is a bit too much in the light of everything else that we are trying to deal with.”
Building Public Trust Through Major Cases
The filmmaker further argued that public trust in the EFCC would significantly increase if the agency consistently and visibly tackled major corruption cases. He believes that such consistent action would make the public more inclined to respect and adhere to the agency's directives, even on what might be perceived as smaller issues like naira abuse.
"If every day we hear about corrupt officials, politicians, or organizations being brought down by the agency, we’d be more likely to trust that they’re acting in our best interest," Okanlawon explained. "Then, if they ask us to stop something like spraying money, we’d likely obey without question because we’d trust that the agency has the moral right to make such requests.”
Okanlawon's comments reflect a broader public debate about the EFCC's priorities and its approach to law enforcement, particularly concerning the optics of targeting celebrities for offenses that some view as minor compared to systemic corruption.