The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken legal action against Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, for alleged violations of the Central Bank Act of 2007. The EFCC has filed a three-count charge against him, citing instances where he purportedly tampered with and sprayed naira notes at social events.
Cubana Chief Priest is set to appear before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024, to face these charges.
The charge, filed on April 4th, lists Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) as the EFCC’s prosecutor, along with seven other lawyers representing the Commission’s chairman. According to the charge, Cubana Chief Priest is accused of tampering with N500 (Five Hundred Naira) notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria during social events.
In Count 1, it is alleged that Cubana Chief Priest tampered with funds by spraying N500 notes for two hours at Eko Hotel on February 13th, 2024.
In Count 2, a similar allegation is made regarding an event in Lagos in 2020.
In Count 3, another incident is cited, occurring in January 2024 during a social event in Lagos.
These charges come in the wake of the EFCC’s recent legal action against another public figure, Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, on similar charges. Bobrisky was subsequently sentenced to a six-month jail term.
The EFCC’s move underscores its commitment to enforcing financial regulations and combatting illegal activities involving currency manipulation.