Sequel to the reported invitation of High Chief Government Ekpemukpolo popularly known as Tomopolo, who’s firm, Tantita Security Services Nig LTD, TSSNL is the Federal Government’s contractor of the security surveillance of the nation’s oil pipelines of the Western axis of the Nigerian waters by the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Mayor of Urhoboland who’s also a reputable Niger Niger ex-militant leader has asked the Commission to leave Tomopolo alone and focus on major economic crimes hindering the nation’s growth and development.

The Mayor stated this at a well attended critical stakeholders brainstorming session held in Abuja, Tuesday, 28 May 2025 over topical regional and national issues as it relates to the socio-political growth and developments in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

He noted with consternation that the EFCC “carries elephant on its head while using it’s toe to hunt crickets” adding that the nation is bewildered and bedevilled by the menace of hardened economic criminals who defraud banks, fleece citizens and foreigners through innovative crimes on daily basis and attracting bad name to the nation thereby destroying the collective image of the Nigerian people all over the world and these according to Mayor should be major concerns for the Anti graft agency and not a mere issue of spraying foreign currency notes during a faithful religious gathering adding the Ola Olukoyede-led agency should dissipate more energies at recovering the stolen wealth of the Nigerian people from those who looted the nation dry and not those Nigerians who spray their hard earn monies on fellow citizens in joyous and not criminal mood.

According to the Mayor, it is the tradition and culture of Africans including Nigerians to spray money during celebrations, religious worships and feasts to herald the occasions as he condemned the agencies attempt at criminalising spraying of naira notes.

The Gbaregolor, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State-born Mayor condemned Tomopolo’s invitation by EFCC noting that his call is not limited to jettisoned Tomopolo’s invitation but other well-meaning Nigerians who have suffered and found time to celebrate life in their own little way in accordance with African tradition. “It’s our way to celebrate life by spraying/gifting valuables. This law prohibiting spraying of naira notes should be redefined and reviewed to respect our way of life. If a wanted personality is found spraying money, the law can catch up with him and not those who engage in legitimate ventures.”

The Mayor further stated that, a time was when a particular minister allegedly hired plane from Ethiopian Airline, coloured in Nigerian National colour and displayed it as a sample for Nigerian air adding that to date, such Minister hasn’t been seeing in jail rather the EFCC engage in the frivolities of chasing petty offenders.

“Do not weaponise the law against the citizens and unjustly criminalise our nationalists for mere spraying of the naira. Law is made for men and not the other way round. To hound Nigerians over spraying of naira notes is to axiphiate our long-standing tradition. Go after the looters of our national treasury, the racketeers and profiteers; the civil servants who impede our national wellbeing through malfeasance and bribemoney should be hounded and not those who work hard to celebrate life.

“Tomopolo has not committed any crime to be invited by the seeming idle EFCC and should be left alone. He has contributed to our national pride more than those inviting him. Let’s build peace in our nation and not crisis. To invite our ‘GOC 1’; is to invite all stakeholders in the Niger Delta region and, by extension, all Niger Delta Ex-Agitators. Olukoyede should thread softly.” Akpodoro warns.