The EFCC arrested him this week on charges that he mutilated the naira at an event in Eko Hotel.
Pascal Okechukwu, the popular influencer known as Cubana Chief Priest will not be faced by a ₦10 million bail or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charge that he mutilated the naira.
After the Federal High Court Justice Kehinde Ogundare in Lagos State granted him a ₦10 million bail with two sureties of equal value, for mutilating the naira, the businessman took to Instagram to thank his fans for their support. He also called money water.
“Seeing all your messages & love. I’m so humbled. Now it’s confirmed CP. No small. Money💸 Na Water💦,” he said.
According to reports, the EFCC arrested him on three charges related to the alleged abuse of the naira by spraying and tampering with it at a social event, which goes against the Central Bank Act of 2007.
The incident allegedly occurred on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel. Cubana Chief Priest has pleaded not guilty.
According to the court document as quoted by Channels TV, count one of the charges alleged “that you, Okechukwu Pascal, on 13th Feb. 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of ₦500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.
In count 2, it was alleged, “that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in 2020, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of ₦500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed 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 ₦500 (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”.
This comes barely a week after the EFCC prosecuted the popular socialite Idris Okuneye known publicly as Bobrisky for mutilating the naira. Bobrisky was eventually sentenced to six months in prison without any option for fine.