Following the N10million bail granted to Lagos socialite, Pascal Okechukwu aka Cubana Chief Priest, after he pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of alleged Naira abuse filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), there has been an outpouring of reactions and support from major names in the entertainment industry, who have continued to show their support for the Cubana Chief Priest. Leading the support chant are ace musician, Davido and Obi Cubana, who both posted their reactions to Okechukwu’s post.
Reacting to the bail on his Instagram account, the socialite said that he is humbled by the show of love he has received so far. According to him, it is now established that he is a force to be reckoned with, not just a small person.
Posting a picture of himself after the ruling, he captioned it thus: “Seeing all your messages and love, I’m so humbled. Now it’s confirmed, CP (Chief Priest) is not small. Money na water.”
Reacting to his post via the comment section, musician Davido said Cubana Chief Priest couldn’t be jailed, stressing that he could not bear not seeing him for six months. He wrote, “I no go see u for 6 months kè… Never.”
On his part, popular entrepreneur, Mr Obinna Iyiegbu, better known as Obi Cubana, wrote: “This must be Abidoshaker you used!!Error! Filename not specified”.
After pleading “Not guilty” to the charge, the court granted him bail for N10 million with two sureties in like sum who must be gainfully employed with the Federal or State Government, and not less than Grade Level 16.
During a social event, Okechukwu, also known as the ‘Celebrity Barman’, was alleged to have committed the offence on February 13, 2024.
EFCC Prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN had on April 4, 2024, filed charges against Okechukwu. Count 1
reads: “That you, Okechukwu Pascal on 13th February, 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, 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, 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 N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying the same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.
Count 3: “That you, Okechukwu Pascal sometime in January 2024, in Lagos 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 and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.
Okechukwu’s arraignment comes barely days after EFCC arraigned controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, on similar charges, for which he was sentenced to a six-month prison term.
