The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Benin Zonal Directorate, on Monday arraigned Benin-based socialite, Kelly Okungbowa, popularly known as Ebo Stone, before Justice C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City.
Okungbowa is facing a two-count charge bordering on alleged abuse and mutilation of the Nigerian currency, the Naira.
According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly sprayed and trampled on a total of N300,000 while dancing with women at different recreational venues in Benin City.
One of the charges states that in November 2024, at Uyi Grand Marquee Event Centre, Okungbowa, while dancing with a woman identified as “Mummy Shallipopi,” sprayed N200,000 in N500 denominations and desecrated the notes by trampling on them.
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.”
The second count alleges that on March 9, 2025, at a lounge and bar owned by him on Ihama Road, he sprayed another N100,000 in N200 notes while dancing with several women. Both offences contravene Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2007 and are 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.”
Okungbowa pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, requested a trial date, while defence counsel, C. B. Ogiegbaen, informed the court of a pending bail application already served on the prosecution.
The judge stood the matter down and later adjourned proceedings to Tuesday, May 27, 2025, citing time constraints.
He ordered that the defendant be released to his lawyer on the condition of a written undertaking to produce him in court on the next hearing date.
