Pascal Okechukwu, better known as Cubana Chief Priest, has been arraigned on charges related to the abuse of the Nigerian currency, the Naira. Okechukwu has entered a plea of not guilty.
Following his plea, the court granted him bail, setting the amount at N10 million. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously filed a three-count charge against the social media celebrity on Tuesday.
 Okechukwu is accused of unlawfully spraying and tampering with the Naira during a social event. This act is considered a violation of the Central Bank Act of 2007. His arraignment took place at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday.
The charges against him state, “Okechukwu Pascal, on 13th Feb. 2024, at Eko Hotel, while dancing 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 for two hours, thereby committing an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”
Similar charges were filed against him for incidents that occurred sometime in 2020 and in January 2024. As part of his bail conditions, Okechukwu is required to surrender his travel passport to the court’s custody. He must also provide two sureties, each in a like sum, who must be gainfully employed with either the federal or state government, holding positions not below grade level 16. Additionally, the sureties must possess landed property, the documentation of which must be verified by the court.
These bail conditions must be fulfilled within seven days. In the interim, he has been released into the custody of his lawyer, who must provide an undertaking to ensure Okechukwu’s appearance in court at the designated times.
This arraignment follows the recent conviction of popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, on similar charges, resulting in a six-month prison sentence.
