Subomi Okoya, son of Nigerian billionaire Razaq Okoya, has publicly apologized following the detention of a police officer attached to him. The incident stems from a viral video showing Subomi and his brother Wahab spraying naira notes while the officer held stacks of the currency. The act violates Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, which prohibits the abuse of the naira.
Spraying or defacing the naira is a criminal offense in Nigeria, punishable under the law. In a similar case in 2024, socialite and cross-dresser Okuneye Idris, popularly known as Bobrisky, was imprisoned for abusing the naira at an event.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) announced on Friday that it had detained the officer involved for disciplinary action. The NPF, in a statement shared on its official X handle, condemned the officer’s behavior as unethical and contrary to the values of the force. The statement emphasized the importance of maintaining the credibility and core values of the police, reiterating their commitment to upholding public trust.
However, the detention of the policeman sparked outrage among social media users, many of whom demanded accountability from Subomi and Wahab.
One user, @Omolomo_o, questioned, “What about the sons who mishandled the money? Are they above the law?” Another user, @SamuelI10540458, added, “Why detain the police when you could have easily picked Chief Okoya’s sons? This is all shades of wrong.”
Subomi’s Apology
Amid the backlash, Subomi took to X to issue a public apology. He expressed regret for his actions and claimed ignorance of the legal implications.
“To the Nigerian people, my actions were not to cause any trouble or harm. My intentions were pure and naive,” Subomi wrote. “I ask for your forgiveness and support in this situation as I had no intention to raise such an alarm. I wasn’t fully aware of the consequences of my action.”
The controversy has reignited conversations about the enforcement of laws regarding naira abuse and the perceived double standards in holding influential figures accountable. The incident also raises questions about the role of law enforcement officers in preventing such violations, as well as the broader societal attitudes toward respecting national symbols like the naira.
As the dust settles, many Nigerians await further updates on whether Subomi and Wahab Okoya will face legal consequences for their actions, or if the detained policeman will be the sole individual held accountable.
