Don’t Just Target Celebs, Fight Real Corruption, Actor Deyemi Okanlawon Slams EFCC
Popular Nollywood actor, Deyemi Okanlawon has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to broaden its anti-corruption efforts beyond targeting celebrities accused of abusing the naira at public events.
His remarks come amid growing public discourse around the EFCC’s recent crackdown on individuals, especially entertainers, who have been seen spraying money at parties and social gatherings.
Speaking during a radio interview on Nollywood On Radio, Okanlawon emphasized that while cultural practices like money spraying should be re-evaluated and discouraged, they pale in comparison to the larger issue of institutional and political corruption plaguing the nation.
“Because something is cultural does not make it right. We have a culture that does not really emphasize maintaining things. So yes, let’s start teaching respect for the naira, but let’s not pretend this is our biggest problem,” Okanlawon stated.
The actor questioned the EFCC’s priorities and called for consistency in law enforcement, especially when it comes to corrupt public officials and political elites.
“If we were hearing daily about corrupt politicians and officials being prosecuted, we’d trust that EFCC’s efforts are sincere. Then, if they say stop spraying money, we’d likely comply without hesitation — because we’d believe in the integrity of the message,” he added.
Okanlawon’s comments follow a series of arrests and prosecutions carried out by the EFCC. In recent months, social media influencers TobiNation and TDollar were sentenced to six months in prison for spraying money at public events.
Businessman E-Money was also detained for alleged abuse of foreign currency, and celebrities including Iyabo Ojo and AY Makun were reportedly invited for questioning.
The EFCC’s actions are in line with Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, which prohibits the mutilation, defacement, or abuse of the naira.
The agency has been vocal about its renewed commitment to preserving the integrity of the national currency since 2024.
While the EFCC’s efforts have drawn praise from some quarters, many Nigerians have echoed Okanlawon’s concerns, pointing out that the fight against corruption should prioritize high-level financial crimes, looting of public funds, and institutional theft that have long crippled development.
“Symbolic enforcement without substantive reform will do little to restore public trust,” one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote in response to the recent celebrity arrests.
Okanlawon concluded his remarks by calling for a more balanced, fair, and far-reaching anti-corruption campaign—one that addresses both cultural excesses and entrenched corruption at all levels of government.
“We need to go after everyone equally. Until the law applies to all, it feels like a distraction,” he said.
The EFCC has yet to respond officially to the actor’s comments, but the debate over its enforcement focus continues to stir public and media attention.
