Pascal Okechukwu, the popular Instagram celebrity known as Cubana Chief Priest, has pleaded not guilty to allegations of naira abuse leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The socialite was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, where he was granted bail in the sum of ₦10 million.
The EFCC filed a three-count charge against him, accusing him of abusing the naira at social events, an act contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
The charges specifically alleged that Okechukwu sprayed and tampered with ₦500 notes for hours during social events in February 2024, 2020, and January 2024.
The EFCC’s prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), along with seven other lawyers representing the commission’s chairman, filed the charges on April 4th.
The charges against Okechukwu is coming just days after the EFCC arraigned controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, on similar charges. Bobrisky was subsequently sentenced to a six-month jail term for naira abuse.
Court’s Decision
The court granted Okechuckwu bail in the sum of ₦10 million with two responsible sureties in like sum who must be gainfully employed with the federal or state government and not less than grade level 16.
The sureties are required to have landed property, and the documents must be verified by the court. Cubana Chief Priest was also ordered to submit his travel passport to the custody of the court.
The bail conditions must be perfected within seven days. In the meantime, Okechukwu was released to his lawyer, who must give an undertaking to produce him later. Failure to do so will result in remand in a correctional facility.