Businessman and socialite Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has arrived in court for arraignment at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The socialite was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in anticipation of his is arraignment before Justice Kehinde Ogundare.
He has been charged on three counts related to the misuse of the Nigerian currency by spraying and damaging it at an event, which violates the provisions of the 2007 Central Bank Act.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the situation in an interview, stating that Cubana Chief Priest is currently in EFCC custody and will face arraignment today, Wednesday.
Pascal Okechuwu, on February 13, 2024, was observed at Eko Hotel dancing and spraying N500 notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria for two hours, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
In Count 3, it was alleged: “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.”
Recall that on Sunday, the EFCC announced its intention to investigate numerous celebrities for the misuse of the nation’s currency.
According to spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the commission remains committed to its meticulous and transparent approach in addressing cases of Naira abuse.
He said, “The EFCC will not relent in its no-sacred-cow mode of operations and the public should be wary of running afoul of laws against the crime.”