According to the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, a cultural spirit is responsible for the habit of Yorubas excessively spraying money at social gatherings.
He emphasized that this monetary gesture is deeply ingrained in the cultural practices of both Yoruba and Igbo communities.
In a press release by his press secretary, Alli Ibrahim, Oluwo criticized the recent crackdown by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on individuals who mishandle the Nigerian currency, calling it a misdirected effort.
Oluwo urged EFCC officials to first educate the public on proper naira handling before enforcing strict penalties.
The statement quoted Oluwo as saying: “Yoruba culture has a strong influence that prompts individuals to spend money lavishly during joyful occasions. The existence of potential penalties for mishandling the naira will likely subdue this cultural spirit. The EFCC needs to prioritize public education over punitive actions.”
He added, “The recent legal actions taken by the EFCC against naira abuse miss the mark. The custom of money spraying holds significant cultural value for the Yoruba and Igbo populations. The key is to inform the public about the repercussions of naira abuse to deter such behavior. The EFCC needs to lay the groundwork before taking action.”
“EFCC should utilize various media platforms to educate the public about behaviors classified as naira abuse and the associated penalties. This widespread awareness will serve as a deterrent and improve the EFCC’s ability to identify and penalize offenders,” he concluded.
In recent efforts to combat naira abuse, EFCC prosecuted the well-known cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
Similarly, the anti-corruption agency brought charges against business mogul Pascal Okechukwu, also called Cubana Chief Priest, in a Lagos High Court for alleged naira mishandling.