The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned a socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly called Cubana Chief Priest, before a Federal High Court in Lagos over abuse of the Naira.
He was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on a three-count charge of spraying and tampering with the Naira notes during a social event at Eko hotel in Lagos.
When the case was called on EFCC Prosecutor, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari announced appearance for the Commission, while Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) announced appearance for the defendant.
The defence counsel then first informed the court of a preliminary objection challenging the Court’s jurisdiction as well as a bail application filed on behalf of the defendant.
He informed the court that the prosecution was not opposed to same.
Addressing the court, EFCC’s counsel Bilikisu Buhari told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on February 13, 2024, by spraying the Naira at Eko Hotel, while dancing during a social event.
Buhari also told the court that Cubana Chief Priest while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, by spraying the same for two hours.
She said that sometime in 2020, during a social event in Lagos, Cubana Chief Priest tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, by spraying the same for two hours.
The Commission also said that in January 2024, in Lagos State during a social event, the defendant tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same.
