The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken into custody Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, ahead of his court appearance today before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Cubana Chief Priest is set to appear before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on three charges related to the alleged misuse of the national currency, specifically involving spraying and tampering with the naira at a social gathering, which is in violation of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
According to Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the EFCC, confirmed this development in a phone interview on Tuesday, stating that Cubana Chief Priest is indeed in custody and will be arraigned in court as scheduled.
The charges against Cubana Chief Priest, as outlined in a suit filed on April 4, 2024, by the EFCC's prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), allege that on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel, during a social event, Okechukwu tampered with N500 notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying them for a prolonged period, contravening Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
In another charge dated FHC/L/ 246/2024, the EFCC accuses Okechukwu of similar offenses during a social event in Lagos in 2020 and again in January 2024.
The EFCC's actions come in the wake of the recent conviction of Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, on similar charges related to naira abuse. The commission secured a six-month prison sentence for Bobrisky on April 12, 2024.
Furthermore, the EFCC disclosed its ongoing investigation into several celebrities suspected of engaging in the abuse of naira notes, emphasizing its commitment to upholding the law and bringing perpetrators to justice.
In response to public scrutiny, the EFCC clarified its stance, stating that while it acknowledges past instances of naira abuse, it will prioritize the investigation and prosecution of new cases, as part of its renewed efforts initiated by the Special Task Force against Naira Abuse and Dollarization of the Economy, which commenced operations on February 7, 2024.
Dele Oyewale expressed appreciation for the public's cooperation in combating naira abuse, reaffirming the EFCC's dedication to enforcing the law and holding accountable those who undermine the integrity of the national currency.
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