The Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday arrested a suspect accused of offering the newly launched currency for sale online.
The suspect, Oluwadarasimi Emma,
The ICPC said the suspect was found and arrested based on intelligence tips.
According to Ms Emma, who is an entrepreneur dealing in skin care products and other travel services, she took the opportunity of the new naira shortage to start a new currency money marketing business.
The anti-corruption agency said it believed the suspect colluded with key elements in the financial services sector to divert the newly launched currency notes to the “black market”.
PREMIUM TIMES reported on Monday that the EFCC also arrested suspected hoarders of the new naira currency in Zone 4 and Dei Dei areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja between Saturday and Monday.
In the same vein, the State Security Service (SSS) also arrested several currency traders who were trying to exploit the new currency shortage.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefile, said the bank would cooperate with law enforcement agencies like the EFCC and the ICPC to trace the heavy withdrawals.
The CBN also extended the deadline for the validity of the old N200, N500 and N1,000 naira notes from January 31 to February 10.
Many Nigerians have called for the extension due to the lack of new notes, despite claims by the CBN that they have been sufficiently circulated.
Read ICPC’s full statement
ICPC arrested a woman offering NEW NAIRA notes FOR SALE
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offenses Commission (ICPC) today, February 1, 2023, arrested a woman, Oluwadarasimi Emma, with the Twitter handle Simisola of Lala, offering new naira notes for sale on social media.
The arrest was the result of intelligence received which led the ICPC operation to search and immediately arrest the suspect.
Oluwadarasimi Emma, a social media “serial entrepreneur” who deals in skin care, fuel sales, facilitation of foreign travel through visa acquisition, and other businesses, seized the opportunity of the shortage of new naira notes to open the market for new notes. It is believed that he is in collusion with important elements in the financial services sector diverting the newly released notes away from the banking halls and payment channels to the “black market”
Oluwadarasimi is currently in the custody of the ICPC and is assisting the Commission with its findings on the criminal trade in naira and the shortages and negative economic consequences caused by such activities.
The action is in progress of the collaboration between the CBN ICPC and the EFCC to implement the new cashless policy and redesign of the naira.
Signed: Mrs. Azuka Ogugua
Spokesperson, ICPC
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