Cubana Chief Priest Held in EFCC Custody, Date Set for Court Appearance

Cubana Chief Priest Held in EFCC custody on charges of abusing the Naira at social events, with an impending court arraignment.

The allegations involve spraying N500 notes at multiple events, contravening the Central Bank Act of 2007.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained socialite Pascal Okechukwu, known as Cubana Chief Priest, ahead of his arraignment on charges of abusing the Nigerian currency.

Set to appear before Justice Kehinde Ogundare at the Federal High Court in Lagos today (Wednesday 17, 2024), Okechukwu faces three counts of illegally handling N500 notes during public events, actions that breach the Central Bank Act of 2007.

VerseNews reports that the EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed that the arraignment follows an investigation into incidents where Okechukwu was filmed spraying money extensively at social gatherings.

Specifically, the charges relate to events in February and January 2024 and another occasion in 2020, all within Lagos, where he is accused of flaunting stacks of N500 notes over several hours.

The case, labeled FHC/L/ 246/2024, details Okechukwu’s repeated disregard for the law by spraying currency notes, which is punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act.

Details of the allegations against Cubana Chief Priest

VerseNews gathered that the allegations brought against Cubana were submitted on April 4th by EFFC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) and a team of seven other lawyers representing the Commission’s Chairman.

In Count 1, it was alleged, “that you, Okechukwu Pascal on 13th Feb. 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

In count 2, it was alleged, “that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in 2020, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

In Count 3, it was alleged, “that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in January 2024, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

This arraignment comes shortly after the conviction of Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, who faced similar charges and was sentenced to six months in prison.

The EFCC has ramped up its efforts against naira abuse, forming a Special Task Force to address and prosecute such violations.

Amidst increasing public scrutiny and participation in highlighting these illegal activities, the EFCC vows to continue its stringent oversight to uphold the sanctity of the national currency.