On Wednesday, the Independent Commission for Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes (ICPC) arrested a woman for allegedly selling recently introduced naira notes online.
According to a statement by ICPC spokeswoman Azuka Ogugwa, the suspect, Oluwadarasimi Emma, was detained for allegedly selling the new naira notes to the general public via Twitter.
The ICPC said the suspect was found and detained after intelligence gathering.
The alleged crime: According to the report, Ms. Emma, a businesswoman dealing in skincare products and travel-related services, took advantage of the prevailing cash-crunch crisis to start a company that openly sells the new tickets. . ICPC said:
- “The arrest was the result of intelligence received that led CIPC agents to immediately search for and arrest the suspect. It is believed to be colluding with key elements in the financial services sector by diverting newly released banknotes from banking halls and payment channels to a black market.”
She is currently in CIPC custody and is assisting the Commission with its findings on the criminal trade in the naira and the resulting shortages and negative economic results caused by the action.
The action promotes collaboration between CBN ICPC and EFCC in the implementation of the new cashless policy and naira redesign.
Nigerians react: Since then many Nigerians have reacted to the arrest. Some of the comments are highlighted below.
- kaizer747 said: “When are they going to clamp down on top bank officials who sell naira notes to politicians?”
- lamar_ralph said “Well, it makes sense to me. But this practice is not new at all. People have been selling old naira note mints for centuries past. Is that supposed to be a thing in a nation? Like buying currency with your own money when it is not a different currency”.
- Eniola Rowell said: “There is someone selling these new notes for the Shah political agenda. You should start researching that.
