EFCC to Arraign Cubana Chief Priest for Alleged Naira Abuse

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a three-count charge against popular Instagram celebrity Pascal Okechukwu, known as Cubana Chief Priest, for allegedly spraying and tampering with the Nigerian Naira at a social event, in violation of the Central Bank Act of 2007.

Cubana Chief Priest is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024, before Justice Kehinde Ogundare at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

According to the charge filed on April 4th by EFCC’s prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) and seven other lawyers representing the Commission’s chairman, Cubana Chief Priest allegedly tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The charges against him include spraying the Naira during a social event and engaging in similar activities in 2020 and January 2024.

This move by the EFCC follows the recent sentencing of controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, on similar charges to a six-month jail term.

The arraignment of Cubana Chief Priest underscores the commitment of the EFCC to enforce the provisions of the Central Bank Act and discourage the abuse of the Nigerian currency.

The case against Cubana Chief Priest is expected to draw significant attention, as it highlights the ongoing issue of Naira abuse in Nigeria.

The outcome of the arraignment and subsequent proceedings will serve as a crucial test for the enforcement of the Central Bank Act and may set a precedent for future cases involving the mishandling of the Nigerian currency.

As Cubana Chief Priest prepares to face the charges, the public and stakeholders in the entertainment industry will be watching closely to see how the case unfolds and the implications it may have on the broader issue of Naira abuse in Nigeria.