The businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has been granted bail in the sum of N10m by the Federal High Court in Lagos State. He must provide two sureties who can match the bail amount.
During his trial, Cubana Chief Priest pleaded not guilty to charges of tampering and abusing the naira.
Justice Kehinde Ogundare arraigned Cubana Chief Priest on three counts related to the abuse of the naira. The charges stemmed from allegations that he sprayed and tampered with the nation’s currency at a social gathering.
The court stated that his actions violated the Central Bank Act of 2007.
Cubana Chief Priest was accused of spraying the naira on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel. The court mentioned that he committed the offenses while dancing at the event.
It was reported that the celebrity barman tampered with N500 notes issued by the CBN by spraying them for a duration of two hours.
Recall that, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed it has detained controversial Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, in Lagos State.
Seun Jimoh also raised concerns about the recent actions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He believes that the EFCC’s focus on targeting celebrities in their crackdown on Naira misuse may be unfair.
Jimoh’s comments were prompted by reports of the EFCC’s intention to prosecute Cubana Chief Priest, also known as Pascal Okechukwu, for alleged Naira misuse.
This development comes after the arrest of Bobrisky, a controversial crossdresser, on similar charges.
Jimoh criticized the selective enforcement of laws, highlighting that a large portion of the Nigerian population could potentially face similar allegations based on online videos.
He condemned the practice of using public figures as examples for legal enforcement, citing its detrimental impact on the psychological well-being of Nigerian citizens.
Jimoh took to Instagram to express his disapproval.
“It looks like scapegoats are being selected to send a message to the general populace. But then, is it not unfair that certain people are being selected for a crime almost 70% of Nigerians or more are guilty of with overwhelming video evidence all over the internet?!
“Why hasn’t anyone ever caught on video spraying money between the time the law has been in effect till now being arrested? Why celebrities? Celebrities are citizens too! This scapegoat approach to cultural reforms is quite sinister and lacks any concern for the mental health of the Nigerian citizens.”
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