List of influential Nigerians who have been arrested or jailed under Tinubu's govt

President Bola Tinubu has made some bold moves since he was inaugurated as President barely a year ago. The first of such action was the removal of the fuel subsidy on his inauguration day.

The President known to be a hard-hitter has put in place bold measures and policies that he believes can propel Nigeria to the next level.

The removal of subsidies on fuel and the floating of the local currency has made the government unpopular among Nigerians who have registered their displeasure through organised protests.

The President has also clamped down on influential people be it in politics or entertainment who have broken the laws at various points in his presidency.

Some of the Nigerians are listed below

Godwin Emefiele

The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was the first target of this administration when they assumed office. He is currently facing multiple charges, ranging from money laundering to fraud and abuse of office.

Emefiele, who was reportedly planning to run for president in 2023, dropped his ambition for reasons known to him. However, the embattled former CBN governor introduced new naira notes a few months before the presidential election, a policy allegedly meant to curb vote buying during the poll.

The policy ruined the country's economy and almost cost the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the polls.

Emefiele has been remanded in prison and granted bail by two different courts in Abuja and Lagos. On the two occasions, he was asked to pay N20 million and N50 million, among other conditions.

Abdulrasheed Bawa

The former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was also detained by the security operatives after he was suspended from office.

Some Nigerians have raised concern after his arrest as there remains no clear reason for his arrest.

According to news reports, the former EFCC chairman spent 13 days in the Department of State Service (DSS) custody.

Bello Bodejo

Another influential leader under the lock of secret police custody is the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group leader, Bello Bodejo, over the creation of an unlawful ethnic militia vigilante group Kungiya Zaman Lafiya in Nasarawa state.

Bodejo was arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and arraigned by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) over violation of the terrorism act 2022.

Security intelligence arrested the leader of the Miyetti Allah group in Nasarawa state after launching the vigilante group named Kungiya Zaman Lafiya.

Badejo had noted at the inauguration of the 1,144-man Fulani outfit in Nasarawa that the purpose was to fight cattle rustling, banditry and other insecurity threats in the state. He is still being remanded in the custody of the DIA until the court concludes his case.

Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky

The cross-dresser and socialite is another influential Nigerian who has been hit hard by the law.

This follows his six months imprisonment without a fine for naira abuse.

Bobrisky was arraigned by the EFCC at the federal high court in Lagos and sentenced by the same court for the offense.

In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, Barrister Stanley Alieke, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer and activist said anyone found guilty of spraying the naira note would spend at least six months in prison.

Barrister Alieke said: "Spraying money at parties or in a nightclub is a criminal offense punishable by at least 6 months of jail term."

Cubana Chief Priest

The socialite was arrested by the EFCC for alleged naira abuse. This comes after he was charged by the on April 4.

He is set to appear for arraignment before the trial judge, Kehinde Ogundare, of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Wednesday, April 17 Leadership newspaper reported.

EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who filed the charges, accused Mr Okechukwu of tampering with N500 notes during various social events.