The Federal High Court in Lagos State, on Wednesday, granted businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, bail amounting to N10 million. This bail includes the requirement of two sureties in like sum. Cubana Chief Priest, who earlier pleaded not guilty to tampering and abusing the naira during his trial, was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on three counts related to the abuse of the nation’s currency. These actions allegedly took place during a social event at Eko Hotel on February 13, 2024.
During the event, Cubana Chief Priest is accused of tampering with funds in the denomination of N500 notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, by spraying them for two hours while dancing. The charge, marked FHC/L/ 246/2024, details further allegations. It states that during a social event in Lagos in 2020, Cubana Chief Priest similarly tampered with funds in the denomination of N500, also by spraying them. Count 3 of the charge alleges that in January 2024, during another social event in Lagos, Cubana Chief Priest again tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, by spraying them.
Notably, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction of popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, on similar charges. Bobrisky was sentenced to six-month imprisonment on Friday, April 12, 2024. The EFCC, in a statement released earlier on Sunday, disclosed that it was investigating several celebrities over alleged abuse of Naira notes. According to its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, many celebrities have provided useful statements to the commission, while others have been invited for questioning. Oyewale emphasized the EFCC’s commitment to upholding the law and urged the public to avoid engaging in activities that contravene laws against financial crimes.
