The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has detained the officer seen in a viral video involving Wahab and Raheem Okoya, sons of billionaire industrialist Razaq Okoya, the owner of Eleganza Group.
In an early Friday statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the detention and expressed the NPF’s disapproval of the officer’s involvement.
“The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of Lagos businessman Chief Okoya, where they were abusing the naira, has been identified and detained for disciplinary action. The involvement of the policeman has been condemned as it is unethical,” Adejobi stated.
He further reassured the public, saying, “We will always strive to uphold the sanctity, credibility, and core values of the police.”
The Viral Incident and Public Reaction
In the controversial video, Wahab and Raheem Okoya were seen spraying naira notes, with the detained officer holding stacks of cash. This act contravenes Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007, which prohibits defacing or abusing the naira.
Public backlash ensued following the announcement, with many criticizing the police for detaining the officer while appearing to overlook the actions of the Okoya brothers.
X users expressed their outrage:
- @ExquisiteDemola: “What about the Okoya sons that committed the offence? A poor person is in trouble in this country.”
- @Jojo_Amandy: “Na who carry plate you arrest, not who chop soup. Free that police guy.”
- @Ugochukwu_96: “What now happens to the main offenders spraying the money? Or are they above the law?”
- @Chichet_: “In this life, have money or suffer. The people abusing the money aren’t punished, but the policeman standing there gets arrested.”
Some referenced a similar case in 2024 when socialite Bobrisky was arrested and imprisoned for naira abuse.
Calls for Equal Justice
The public is demanding equal accountability for the Okoya brothers, who were the main culprits in the video. Many argue that punishing the officer alone is unjust and reflects systemic inequality.
As of now, it remains unclear whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or other authorities have taken steps to investigate or prosecute the Okoya brothers for their actions.
The incident underscores the growing public frustration over perceived double standards in the enforcement of laws in Nigeria.
