Africa-Press – Nigeria. Kelly Okungbowa, aka Ebo Stone, the suspended head of the Edo State Public Safety Response Team, PSRT, has been arraigned in the Federal High Court on a two-count charge of naira abuse and mutilation.
Okungbowa was arraigned by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, 26 May 2025, before Justice C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court, sitting in Benin City.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had, on March 14, 2025, suspended the activities of PSRT and the embattled Kelly Okungbowa as its head due to several complaints received by the state government on allegations of extortion, harassment, and unruly behaviour by members of the team.
The activities of the agency were also suspended following the killing of a two-year-old girl over the alleged scuffle between some officials of PSRT and a commercial driver at the popular Oba Ovoranmwen Square.
Arraigning the Benin City-based socialite before the court, the anti-graft agency alleged that he had, on two different occasions while dancing with women in recreational centres in Benin City, sprayed a total of N300,000 and trampled on them in the process.
Count One of the 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 notes of N500 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 Ihama Road, Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst dancing with some young ladies, tampered with the sum of N100,000 notes of N200 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 accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Following his plea, the 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, however, stood down the case, and when the matter came up again at about 4 pm, the judge informed the parties that the day was far spent and adjourned the matter to Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
The court therefore 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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