A public debate has erupted online as Nigerians call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take action against Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, over an alleged case of naira abuse.
The controversy began after a viral video surfaced on X.com on Sunday, shared by a user identified as Harrison A, who posts under the handle #harreceipts. The video was captioned: “EFCC, see Tompolo and the Naira o.”
The clip, said to be from Tompolo’s 54th birthday celebration in April, shows the Niger Delta figure dancing while another individual is seen extravagantly spraying ₦1,000 notes around him.
Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act 2007 (as amended) states that “spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira or any note issued by the bank during social occasions or otherwise howsoever shall constitute an abuse and defacing of the Naira and shall be punishable under the law by fines or imprisonment or both.”
The video has sparked a flurry of reactions from social media users, many of whom are questioning the EFCC’s silence and urging the commission to act with consistency, particularly in light of recent arrests and prosecutions of celebrities and private citizens for similar offences.
Dear @officialEFCC come out o.
Here is Tompolo mutilating the Naira.I know the eyes of that your eagle will suddenly go blind but I am bringing this to your attention publicly so the whole world will see you are a shameless agency with double standards.pic.twitter.com/ys8HJir3Jf
— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🩺 🇬🇧 (@OurFavOnlineDoc) May 11, 2025