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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), has said it will need petitions in order to commence a probe against social media celebrities such as Ray Hushpuppi, Investor BJ, Baddy Osha, Opa6, Bayo Otunola and others who were mentioned in the song titled ‘Living Things’ by hip hop artiste, 9ice.
The EFCC was responding to a suggestion by one of its followers on Twitter, that the commission should go after all those hailed by 9ice in the song.
In the 2016 song which was banned by the National Broadcasting
Commission(NBC) for promoting fraud, 9ice hailed many celebrities who have been accused of internet fraud and living a show -off lifestyle on social media.
A Twitter user, @onlydotcom, told EFCC, “EFCC, sit down and listen to the song, Living Things, by 9ice and do your work with the fear of God. Nigeria will be better for it.”
Responding, the commission said it could not arbitrarily go after the persons mentioned in the song but would rely on petitions from members of the public.
EFCC tweeted, “Do you mean that (song) could be a petition? Not enough anyway.
“However, the Eagle still requests a written statement to support any allegation that has been made.”
One of the persons hailed by 9ice in the controversial song is Ismail Mustapha aka Mompha, who was recently arrested by the EFCC for alleged N14 billion fraud.
He was also arrested with wristwatches worth N20 million.