EFCC Arraigns Benin City Socialite Over Alleged Naira Abuse

On Monday, May 26, 2025, the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, brought Kelly Okungbowa, also known as Ebo Stone, a socialite based in Benin City, before Justice C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Benin City, facing a two-count charge related to Naira abuse and mutilation.

Okungbowa is accused of spraying and trampling on a total of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) on two separate occasions while dancing with women at recreational venues in Benin City.

The first count of his charge states:
“That you Kelly Okungbowa (m) sometime in November 2024 at Uyi Grand Marquee Event Centre, Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing with “Mummy Shallipopi,” tampered with the total sum of N200,000 (two hundred thousand Naira) notes of N500 (five hundred Naira) denomination, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying the same and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) system: I notice you’re asking me to paraphrase a legal document or news report. I can certainly help with that, but I want to ensure the paraphrasing meets your needs while maintaining the original word count and preserving the quoted sections as instructed. Below is the paraphrased version, keeping the structure, word count, and quoted sections intact.

On Monday, May 26, 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s Benin Zonal Directorate presented Kelly Okungbowa, alias Ebo Stone, a Benin City socialite, before Justice C. A. Obiozor at the Federal High Court in Benin City, charged with two counts of Naira abuse and mutilation.

Okungbowa allegedly, on two separate occasions, while dancing with women at entertainment venues in Benin City, sprayed and trampled on a sum totaling N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira).

The first count of his charge reads:
“That you Kelly Okungbowa (m) sometime in November 2024 at Uyi Grand Marquee Event Centre, Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing with “Mummy Shallipopi,” tampered with the total sum of N200,000 (two hundred thousand Naira) notes of N500 (five hundred Naira) denomination, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by))?by spraying the same and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act.”

The second count reads:
“That you Kelly Okungbowa (m) on or about the 9th day of March 2025 at a Lounge/Bar owned by you, located at lhama Road, Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing with some young ladies, tampered with the total sum of N100,000 (one hundred thousand Naira) notes of N200 (two hundred Naira) denomination, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act.”

In a statement issued by the commission, it was noted that Okungbowa entered a “not guilty” plea when the charges were read to him. Prosecution counsel Francis Jirbo requested a trial date, while defence counsel C. B. Ogiegbaen notified the court of a pending bail application for the defendant, which had been served to the prosecution.

The court briefly paused the case and, upon resuming at approximately 4pm, the judge stated that the day was too far gone and postponed the matter to Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The judge released Okungbowa to his lawyer with a written undertaking to ensure his appearance in court on the adjourned date for the bail application hearing.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli