Popular socialite Pascal Okechukwu, known as Cubana Chief Priest, appeared before Justice Kehinde Ogundare at the Federal High Court, Lagos, today to face charges of naira abuse.
The Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused Cubana Chief Priest of three counts related to “tampering with the naira” at social events. The charges allege that he sprayed and mishandled N500 notes on seperate occasions in February 2024, January 2024, and sometime in 2020. These actions are said to contravene Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
The indictment read as follows:
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”.
Cubana Chief Priest pleaded not guilty to the charges. His lawyer, Chukwuma Ojukwu, informed the court that they had filed an application challenging the case.
Justice Kehind Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the Cubana Chief Priest N10million bail, marking a distinction between his case and others, where they were not granted bail.
This arraignment comes shortly after similar cases against public figures. Cross-dresser Bobrisky was recently sentenced to six months in prison for naira abuse, while actress Simi Gold received a six-month sentence and the option of a $250 fine for the same offense.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has intensified efforts to curb the mishandling of the naira, and Cubana Chief Priest’s case is being closely watched to see if the trend of convictions for celebrities continues.
