The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested socialite E-Money over alleged money laundering.
E-Money, whose real name is Emeka Okonkwo, was arrested by the anti-graft agency in the Omole area of Lagos State.
E-Money has now been taken into EFCC’s custody in Abuja.
He was spotted at a public event allegedly spraying the naira and some US dollar bills. However, the details of the incident are unknown at this time.
The Chief Executive Officer of Emmy Cargoes Nigeria Limited and Five Star Music was said to have violated Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.
However, as of the time this report was published, the EFCC had yet to issue an official statement on his arrest.
The arrest is the latest in the EFCC’s crackdown on naira abuse. A few days back, singer Terry Apala was remanded over alleged abuse of the country’s banknotes.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has arrested another socialite, Aisha Achimugu. She was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Achimugu was nabbed around 5 am on Tuesday shortly after she returned from London.
The anti-graft agency had declared her wanted in March over alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Achimugu’s lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), also confirmed her arrest and said, “Aisha Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested by the EFCC around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.”
Ojukwu criticised the EFCC’s action, labelling it as a violation of a court order.
“In light of what transpired in court on Monday, my client returned based on the undertaking before the court to honour the EFCC’s invitation but was arrested at the airport,” Ojukwu said.
He disclosed that Achimugu had commenced a hunger strike to protest what he termed a breach of her fundamental rights.
“She is a prisoner of conscience,” the lawyer said.
The arrest comes a day after Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered her to appear before the EFCC and the court.
