EFCC Silent Eight Days After Pledging to Question Tompolo Over Naira Abuse

Eight days following its public declaration to question former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, over the misuse of naira notes, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has yet to take any visible action.

On May 12, the EFCC had tweeted firmly, “Nobody is above the law. Tompolo will have questions to answer!” This statement came in response to a viral video showing Tompolo celebrating his 54th birthday by dancing atop ₦1,000 notes while others sprayed currency at his feet—actions prohibited by Nigeria’s Central Bank Act.

Despite this strong statement, the commission has remained silent, reportedly only issuing an invitation to Tompolo but making no further moves public.

This delay has fueled public criticism online, with many accusing the EFCC of protecting influential individuals. Observers cite other incidents, such as the Okoya brothers, Wahab and Raheem, who similarly flaunted naira spraying but have not faced prosecution.

Under Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, it is illegal to spray, mutilate, or dance on naira currency. Tompolo’s behavior, as captured in the footage, clearly contravenes this law.

Tompolo, once a militant leader in the Niger Delta, now holds significant traditional authority among the Ijaw people and oversees a lucrative federal contract for pipeline security in the region.

The EFCC’s silence amid mounting calls for equal enforcement of the law has intensified suspicions of selective justice, especially considering the agency’s prompt actions against other public figures like Bobrisky, Iyabo Ojo, and E-Money for similar offenses.