In Lagos State, on Wednesday, the Federal High Court granted Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties of equal amount.
Previously, Cubana Chief Priest pleaded not guilty to charges of tampering with and abusing the naira currency during his trial before Justice Kehinde Ogundare.
The charges against him relate to the alleged spraying and tampering with the nation’s currency at a social event, which violates the Central Bank Act of 2007.
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This incident occurred on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel, where he was accused of spraying naira notes during a two-hour dance performance.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged in the charge marked FHC/L/ 246/2024 that Cubana Chief Priest had similarly tampered with funds in 500 Naira notes during a social event in Lagos in 2020.
In a related development, on April 5, 2024, the EFCC obtained the conviction of popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, on similar charges, resulting in a six-month imprisonment sentence on April 12, 2024.
The EFCC had earlier announced its investigation into several celebrities for alleged abuse of Naira notes. According to the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, many celebrities have provided statements, and more have been summoned for questioning.
The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the law and urged the public to comply with regulations regarding currency handling.
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