- To be Arraigned tomorrow
By Ken Afor
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a three-count charge against a popular Instagram celebrity, Mr Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, for alleged violations bordering on mishandling of the Nigerian currency, the Naira.
According to the charges, Cubana Chief Priest is being accused of spraying and tampering with naira notes during a social event, an act which contravenes the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act of 2007.
The New Diplomat gathered that Cubana Chief Priest is scheduled to be arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos tomorrow, April 17th, 2024.
A copy of the charge obtained sighted by journalists indicates that it was filed on April 4, 2024, by the EFCC’s prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), alongside seven other lawyers representing the chairman of the Commission.
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”.
Meanwhile, this development has sparked reactions on social media. While Some are calling on the anti-graft agency to educate the Nigerian public more on the abuse of the Naira and create more awareness others hold contrary view.
It would be recalled that last Friday, the EFCC secured a conviction on Nigerian controversial cross-dresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, on similar charges for which he was sentenced to six years in prison with one option of a fine.
