“Fix hunger, not naira spraying!” Toni Payne blasts EFCC

By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi

Nigerian photographer Toni Payne has expressed frustration over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) focus on naira abuse by celebrities, questioning the priorities of the agency.

In a post on social media, Payne criticized the EFCC’s ongoing invitations to Nigerian stars over the issue of money spraying, noting the country’s more pressing problems, such as widespread poverty, power shortages, and a lack of employment.

She argued that the country’s authorities should shift their attention to these serious issues instead of pursuing celebrity-related naira abuse.

“Naija has the most messed-up priorities out of all the problems facing the country,” Payne lamented. “People are starving, there’s no steady power supply, and there are no jobs, yet they’re focusing on money spraying? What is the goal? It’s a joyful tradition, so why try to remove it?”

She also urged Nigerians to consider holding their events outside of the country, citing the absurdity of being arrested for something as harmless as spraying money. “Destination events are the way to go,” she added. “If something so small can get you arrested, it’s insane!”

Payne further referenced how actress Iyabo Ojo had been careful with how she handled money during an event, yet still found herself in trouble with the EFCC.