Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, May 26, 2025, arraigned Kelly Okungbowa a.k.a Ebo Stone, a Benin City-based socialite before Justice C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court, sitting in Benin City on a two-count charge of Naira abuse and mutilation.
Okungbowa is alleged to have on two different occasions
while dancing with women in recreational centres in Benin City, sprayed a total
of N300, 000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) and trampled on them in the
process.
Count one 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 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.”
Count two 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.”
The commission in a statement released, said Okungbowa
pleaded “not guilty” to the charge when it was read to him, following which
prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo prayed the court for a trial date, while the
defence counsel, C. B. Ogiegbaen informed the court of a pending bail
application for the defendant which has been served on the prosecution.
The court at this point stood down the case and when the
matter came up again at about 4pm, the judge informed the parties that the day
was far spent and adjourned the matter till Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The judge
then released the defendant to his lawyer upon undertaking in writing to
produce him in court on the adjourned date for the consideration of his bail
application.
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