The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Kelly Okungbowa, popularly known as Ebo Stone, over alleged abuse of the naira.
The arrest was carried out by operatives from the Benin Zonal Directorate on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Okungbowa, who formally served as Chairman of the Edo State Asset Recovery Committee and State Coordinator of the Public Safety Response Team (PSRT), was seen in a viral video spraying freshly minted naira notes on two strippers at a private party.
The video, which surfaced online over the weekend, showed him throwing bundles of cash into the air while the women danced and rubbed the notes on their bodies.
EFCC arrested and detained Okungbowa following a video clip which went viral on March 9, 2025, at a bar where he was seen allegedly spraying and mutilating the naira.
Confirming the arrest, the EFCC said, “He will be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed.”
His arrest comes amidst the Edo State Government decision to suspend him from his role as the PSRT coordinator.
It also comes amid increased enforcement against naira abuse, a violation that carries legal consequences under Nigerian law.
In a related case, the EFCC had also arrested Murja Ibrahim Kunya, a well-known TikTok influencer, in Kano for a similar offense.
Kunya was taken into custody on Saturday, March 15, 2025, over allegations of currency abuse.
Sources revealed she had been previously arrested and was set to be arraigned three weeks ago but allegedly escaped from custody before facing charges.
