In a breaking development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken steps to arraign popular Instagram celebrity Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024.
The EFCC has filed a three-count charge against Cubana Chief Priest, alleging that he engaged in the abuse of the Nigerian currency, the naira, at a social event. The charges stem from incidents that occurred in January 2024 and February 13th, 2024, in Lagos.
The charge, filed on April 4th by EFFC’s prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) and a team of seven other lawyers representing the Commission’s chairman, accuses Cubana Chief Priest of tampering with funds in contravention of the Central Bank Act of 2007. The alleged actions involve spraying and tampering with naira notes during social gatherings, which is considered an offense punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
This development follows closely on the heels of the EFCC’s recent legal actions against other public figures, including the arraignment of controversial personality Bobrisky on similar charges. Cubana Chief Priest’s arraignment marks a significant move by the EFCC in its efforts to combat financial crimes and uphold the integrity of the Nigerian currency.