Odinkalu: EFCC lacks powers to prosecute naira abuse

A former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has argued that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lacks the powers to prosecute naira abuse.

He had criticised the commission for arresting crossdresser Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju (alias Bobrisky), who was convicted and jailed for six months for the offence.

To the professor of law, spraying of the naira does not fall within the commission’s prosecutorial purview.

Odinkalu stated: “The law that establishes the EFCC defines ‘economic and financial crimes’ to mean ‘non-violent criminal and illicit activity committed with the objectives of earning wealth illegally either individually or in a group or organised manner thereby violating existing legislation governing the economic activities of government and its administration.’ “

Socialite and barman Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, is set to challenge the charge filed against him by the EFCC, having pleaded not guilty.

He was arraigned on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Lagos and granted N10million bail.