The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has announced its intention to arraign social media personality Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, for alleged violations of the naira.
The exact details of the charges against Cubana Chief Priest have not been made public, but naira abuse is a serious offence under the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Act. The Act prohibits, among other things, the spraying, mutilation, and unauthorised defacing of the naira.
Last week, another social media celebrity, Idris Okuneye, alias Bob Risky, was sentenced to six months in prison for abusing the naira.
Social media has been abuzz with videos allegedly showing Cubana Chief Priest at events spraying and stepping on naira notes. Reacting to the videos, the EFCC said Okechukwu will be arraigned at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on 17 April 2024.
“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 the same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”
“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.”
Cubana Chief Priest, a flamboyant socialite known for his lavish displays of wealth, has yet to comment on the allegations. His arraignment is expected to generate significant interest in Nigeria, with many watching closely to see how the case unfolds.
The anti-graft agency recently said it is investigating several celebrities who may have been involved in currency abuse.
“At the moment, the commission is investigating several celebrities involved in naira abuse,” stated Dele Oyewale, head of the EFCC media unit on Sunday evening. “Many of them have made useful statements to the commission, and many more have been invited by investigators working on the matter.”
The EFCC emphasised that there would be “no sacred cow” in the prosecution of naira abusers.
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