Okoya Brothers Spark Outrage Over Naira Abuse in Viral Video; Police Detain Officer

Raheem Okoya, son of billionaire industrialist Chief Razaq Akanni Okoya, has issued a public apology following widespread backlash over a viral video showing him and his brother, Wahab Okoya, flaunting bundles of N1,000 notes and spraying them while dancing to music. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) condemned the display, describing it as an “abuse” of the Naira, and confirmed the detention of a police officer featured in the video. The footage, which showed the Okoya brothers dressed in agbada, tossing crisp N1,000 notes into the air, quickly garnered public criticism. CoreTV News reports that the video was allegedly created to promote Raheem’s new song, Credit Alert, but its release triggered a debate on the accountability of influential figures and their treatment under the law. In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Raheem Okoya expressed regret for his actions and pleaded for forgiveness. “To the Nigerian people, my actions were not intended to cause harm or trouble. My intentions were pure and naive. I ask for your forgiveness and understanding as I had no intention of raising such alarm. I wasn’t fully aware of the consequences of my actions,” he wrote. Public outrage intensified over the involvement of a uniformed police officer in the video. Responding to the controversy, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced on Friday that the officer had been detained and was undergoing disciplinary proceedings. “The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of Chief Okoya, where they were seen abusing the Naira, has been identified and detained for disciplinary action. His conduct was unethical, and we are committed to upholding the integrity, credibility, and core values of the Nigeria Police Force,” Adejobi stated. While the police have moved decisively against the officer, no official statement has been issued regarding possible legal or disciplinary actions against the Okoya brothers. The incident has reignited conversations on the enforcement of laws governing currency abuse and whether influential individuals are held to the same standards as the general public. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and financial regulatory authorities have yet to comment on the matter.