UPDATED: Cubana Chief Priest Pleads Not Guilty, Granted ₦10m Bail

Today in Lagos State, Instagram sensation Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, appeared before Justice Kehinde Ogundare at the Federal High Court. The high-profile socialite entered a plea of not guilty to three charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), relating to alleged abuse of the Nigerian currency.

According to reports, the EFCC accused Cubana Chief Priest of contravening provisions outlined in the Central Bank Act of 2007 during a social event, where he allegedly engaged in the act of “spraying” funds issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In response to his plea, the court granted Cubana Chief Priest bail in the sum of ₦10 million, with two sureties of substantial means who must be gainfully employed within the federal or state government at not less than grade level 16. Additionally, the sureties are required to possess verifiable landed property.

As part of his bail conditions, Cubana Chief Priest must surrender his travel passport to the custody of the court and perfect the bail requirements within seven days. In the interim, he has been released into the custody of his legal representative, who must undertake to ensure his appearance in court as required. Failure to comply may result in his remand in a correctional facility.

The charges against Cubana Chief Priest include allegations of tampering with funds issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria during social events dating back to 2020 and continuing into 2024. The EFCC’s prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), presented the charges alongside seven other lawyers representing the Commission.

This development follows closely on the heels of the EFCC’s recent arraignment of controversial figure Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, on similar charges, resulting in a six-month jail term.