The last may not have been heard of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC’s) alleged Naira abuse against former militant warlord, Government Ekpemukpolo, popularly known as Tompolo with arguments for and against the accused since he never actually sprayed currency himself at a party, but the anti-graft agency insists on inviting him for questioning and possible prosecution over the matter
There is palpable tension in the creeks of the Delta. The brewing tension follows an invitation extended to a former militant leader, Government Ekpemukpolo, popularly known as Tompolo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and threats to prosecute him over an alleged Naira abuse during his birthday party last April.
It is understandably so. Since leaving the creeks by retiring from militancy, there has been calm in the region. He also oversees the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a firm that won the contract for the security of crude oil pipelines from vandalism and oil theft, which was the order of the day, especially during former President Muhammadu Buhari administration and for which he is handsomely paid in billions of Naira, further dousing tensions in the Nigeria Delta.
But recently, it appears that the EFCC is bent on stirring the hornet’s nest in the Creeks of the Niger Delta by its insistence that Tompolo has violated the law against Naira abuse and must be probed and prosecuted.
However, Tompolo’s supporters and aides, most of who craved anonymity, insisted that the former militant leader violated no known law of the land since he himself never sprayed Naira at the occasion and could not have stopped his excited followers and admirers from spraying him Naira notes at a party organized in his honour.
They further maintained that Tompolo cannot even identify those who sprayed him money at his birthday, adding that the law says you can only arrest the person or persons who actually committed the offence.
Following EFCC’s threat to arrest Tompolo, the aides have stated unequivocally that the EFCC does not have the capacity to arrest Tompolo, insisting that he will not even honour EFCC invitation because “the whole thing smacks of an attempt by the EFCC officials to harass the Tantita chief, as if they were on a mission to cow Tompolo into submission to soft pedal on his activities against crude oil theft on the seas”.
One of them whispered, “As a matter of fact, we suspect that some powerful politicians who may be aiding and abetting crude oil theft are behind this move just to silence Tompolo, but there is no going back on our resolve to completely rid the country of the menace of oil theft so that Nigeria’s economy can further grow.”
In spite of the revelations, the EFCC has insisted that the former Niger Delta militant leader, who is himself a formidable ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be questioned over alleged naira abuse.
In a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, May 12, 2025, the anti-graft agency restated that no one is above the law, adding, “Nobody is above the law. Tompolo will have questions to answer!” the post read, accompanied by a picture showing the alleged abuse of the naira.
The controversy stemmed from a viral video shared on X.com on Sunday, May 11, 2025 by one user Harrison A, who tweeted as #Harreceipts. The caption read, “EFCC, see Tompolo and the Naira o.”
The video, reportedly shot during Tompolo’s 54th birthday celebration in April, showed him dancing, while his supporters and admirers sprayed loads of cash, particularly ₦1,000 notes on him-a violation of Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.
The footage had triggered a wave of criticism and calls for action on social media, with users accusing the EFCC of selective enforcement of the law.
It would be recalled that the EFCC had earlier secured the arraignment and conviction of a currency dealer, and jailed two fraudsters seven years in Kaduna.
Citing celebrities like Bobrisky, E-Money, Iyabo Ojo and comedian Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, who have faced interrogation or prosecution for similar offences, one user said Tompolo appeared to have been ignored until now.
“He said: “When it concerns the big men and their friends, EFCC will usually turn a blind eye. It is not Tompolo, but the sons of Okoya Folawiyo of Eleganza, who were recorded and published in a video of Naira abuse, were ignored.”
Another user, #OurFavOnlineDoc, added, “Here is Tompolo mutilating the Naira. I know the EFCC’s supposed eagle eye will suddenly go blind, but I am bringing this to your attention publicly so that the whole world will see you are a shameless agency with double standards.”
Similarly, Meek Raphael, tweeting as #MeekRapheal, commented: “Okoya’s son is still walking freely and you expect them to go for Tompolo? Their laws are only effective when the offender is not from the rich class. Same with every security agency in Nigeria-none is truly for the masses.”
The EFCC has previously taken action against public figures over similar infractions. In the recent past, popular Lagos socialite Emeka Okonkwo (aka E-Money) was arrested for allegedly abusing the naira and defacing foreign currencies by spraying United States (U.S.) dollars.
Only last week, Nollywood actress Ojo and Makun were also invited for questioning over allegations related to currency spraying.
Sources within the anti-graft agency disclosed that the letter of invitation was delivered on Wednesday, May 15 and the Commission is now awaiting Tompolo’s response, adding that the invitation is procedural and not an arrest warrant, but emphasised its expectation of his (Tompolo’s) cooperation.
Tompolo is a strong ally and supporter of President Tinubu who had recently endorsed him for a second term come 2027. In EFCC’s usual characteristic manner of invitation of alleged financial law breakers, it has often shunned the invitation of powerful elements linked to the presidency. What is confusing about Tompolo’s invitation to the EFCC is the speculation that there may have been a crack in the walls of the friendship between Tinubu and Tompolo. Since Tompolo by proxy have vowed he would not honour the invitation, it is also left to speculation what next move the EFCC will make.
