Some Facebook users have claimed that the the arrest of entertainers Iyabo Ojo and Ayo Makun aka AY is to cover up the alleged bigotry against Southeastern Nigeria by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The actress and comedian recently confirmed that they were invited by the agency for the public spraying of local and foreign currencies.
They were invited following reports of money spraying at Ojo’s daughter’s wedding. Both individuals were later granted bail under stringent conditions.
In separate posts on Instagram, the entertainers elaborated on the details of their interaction with the EFCC.
Ojo posted, “I recently had an experience with the EFCC in Nigeria after receiving an invitation letter while I was in the UK. Upon my return, I visited the EFCC on the 5th day of May 2025, where I was asked several questions relating to my personal bio data, career, work experience, and companies, amongst others.
“The EFCC officials showed me videos extracted from my daughter’s wedding where guests, including colleagues and friends, were spraying Naira and foreign currencies.”
She further said, “The EFCC officials clarified that spraying money, including on people’s bodies, is prohibited. I was surprised to learn that spraying any currency, including Dollars, is also not allowed.
“After questioning, I was allowed to leave the same day, but my personal lawyer, O.I. Salami stood in for me as I may be called upon again.”
On his part, Comedian AY said, “I want to sincerely thank the EFCC and all authorities involved for their understanding and for granting me pardon based on confirmation that the money being sprayed is not linked to the proceeds of crime or any form of illicit funds.”
He added, “It is important to understand that mutilating or abusing the Naira — whether by spraying, tearing, defacing, or mishandling—is not just a cultural practice but also a violation of Nigerian law. Such acts undermine the integrity of our national currency and can have serious legal.”
However, in some corners of social media, the invitation of the duo has been described as a coverup for the alleged tribal witch-hunt by the EFCC against the Igbo race.
Some netizens have claimed that the EFCC targets socialites in Igboland but invited Ojo and AY, who are both Yorubas, to mislead people of its biased intent.
A blogger, Oge Nsimah wrote, “They picked E-money. Social media questioned them: ‘Why E-money?’ Accused them of tribalism because it looked like they were targeting Igbos.
“VDM outrightly told them they are targeting only Igbo because parties have been going on, and people who are not Igbo have been spraying money.
“You know what they did? Voom, they invited Iyabo Ojo, and now I just read they have invited AY too—all to save face and prove they are not tribalistic.”
Another netizen, Blessed Anaedo, wrote, “I’m ashamed of everything, and I curse the day the zoo was formed and those that formed it, with those upholding it. This fight is against we Igbos but they are only using Iyabo Ojo and AY to distract us.”
“If we didn’t raise an alarm when E-money was invited, would they have invited these Yoruba people? It is now obvious that if we keep quiet, EFCC and the rest of the Yoruba organisations in Nigeria will keep riding us,” were the words of Chukwuebuka on Facebook.
Kene Winna said, “Some of the bigots have told us this is Yoruba government and Yoruba Bank even dragged Coscharis into it.
“Nigeria can never get healed if bigots continue to rise with their misinformation & threats.”
John Izuchukwu Stephen wrote, “They invited Iyabo Ojo without publishing it, it was Kemi Talks that escalated it. If it was an Igbo man or woman that was arrested, they would have broadcasted it on every channel to shame him. Government agency doing tribalism.”
Recall that billionaire Emeka Okonkwo Daniel popularly known as E-money was arrested by the anti-graft agency for Naira abuse and defacement of foreign currencies.
He was arrested at his Omole, Lagos residence in the late hours of Monday.
His arrest followed an alleged spraying of American dollars against the Foreign Exchange Act.
