A senior Edo State government official, Kelly Okungbowa, also known as Ebo Stone, has been captured on video spraying freshly minted naira notes on two strippers at a private gathering. Okungbowa, who serves as Chairman of the Edo State Asset Recovery Committee and State Coordinator of the Public Safety Response Team (PSR), is a close associate of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The video, which emerged online over the weekend, shows Okungbowa tossing large amounts of cash into the air as two scantily clad women dance around him, rubbing the notes on their bodies. Sources claim the event took place at a high-end lounge in Benin City allegedly connected to the government official.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act of 2007 prohibits the abuse of naira notes, including spraying, stepping on, or any form of mishandling. Violators risk six months in prison, a ₦50,000 fine, or both.
Authorities have enforced this law in the past. In February 2024, actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin received a six-month jail sentence for stepping on naira notes. In May 2024, socialite Bobrisky faced a similar punishment, while businessman Cubana Chief Priest opted for an out-of-court settlement after being charged.
Okungbowa’s video has renewed debates about whether politicians are held to the same legal standards as ordinary citizens.
Concerned Edo Youth and other civil society groups have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute Okungbowa.
Joseph Gbale, president of the group, accused the government of hypocrisy.
“These people harass traders and motorists in the name of public safety while engaging in the same reckless behavior behind closed doors,” Gbale said. “Will the EFCC act, or is the law only for the poor?”
This controversy adds to the growing challenges facing Governor Okpebholo’s administration, which is already dealing with corruption scandals, public dissatisfaction, and an impending tribunal ruling on his
