EFCC Set to Prosecute Cubana Chief Priest for Naira Abuse
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is gearing up to prosecute Okechukwu Pascal, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, for alleged abuse of the Nigerian currency, the naira. The charges stem from incidents where Cubana Chief Priest is accused of spraying money at social events, contravening the Central Bank Act 2007.
The allegations against Cubana Chief Priest were lodged by EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) and a team of seven other lawyers representing the Commission’s Chairman. The charges detail multiple occasions where Cubana Chief Priest purportedly tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 during social events, violating provisions of the Central Bank Act 2007.
In Count 1, it was alleged that Cubana Chief Priest, on February 13th, 2024, at Eko Hotel in Lagos, sprayed funds in the denomination of N500 for two hours during a social event, thus committing an offense under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007. Similar accusations were made for events in 2020 and January 2024, resulting in multiple charges against him.
The court hearing for Cubana Chief Priest comes in the wake of charges brought against another public figure, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, for similar offenses. Bobrisky was recently handed a six-month jail term for his involvement in similar incidents.
The impending prosecution of Cubana Chief Priest highlights the EFCC’s commitment to upholding laws aimed at preserving the integrity of the Nigerian currency and deterring individuals from engaging in activities that undermine its value. As legal proceedings unfold, stakeholders will closely monitor the outcome of the case and its implications for similar offenses in the future.
