In Lagos State, the Federal High Court granted businessman and socialite Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum on Wednesday. Cubana Chief Priest had previously pleaded not guilty to charges of tampering with and abusing the naira during his trial before Justice Kehinde Ogundare.

The charges against Cubana Chief Priest stemmed from allegations of abusing the nation’s currency at a social event held at Eko Hotel on February 13, 2024, in violation of the Central Bank Act of 2007. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused him of spraying and tampering with N500 notes issued by the CBN.

According to the EFCC, Cubana Chief Priest allegedly tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 during a social event in Lagos in January 2024 by spraying the currency for two hours, resulting in the charges against him.

The EFCC, which recently secured the conviction of another public figure, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, on similar charges, disclosed an ongoing investigation into several celebrities for alleged abuse of Naira notes. The commission warned against disregarding laws pertaining to currency abuse and reiterated its commitment to enforcing the law impartially.