Cubana Chief Priest has secured a ₦10 million bail after being dragged to the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State, over an alleged naira abuse.
The nightlife merchant, whose real name is Pascal Okechukwu, pleaded not guilty to tampering and abusing the naira during his trial.
Cubana Chief Priest was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on three counts bordering on abuse of naira by allegedly spraying and tampering with the nation’s currency at a social event, contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
He was alleged to have sprayed the naira on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel.
Cubana Chief Priest was said to have also committed the offenses while dancing during a social event.
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He was said to have tampered with funds in the denomination of ₦500 notes issued by the CBN by spraying the same for two hours.
Charges Against Cubana Chief Priest
- Count 1 of the charge stated, “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 offense, 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 same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offense, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”
- The third count of the charge against the celebrity alleged “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 offense, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”
Why Cubana Chief Priest Was Granted Bail Unlike Bobrisky
Although Bobrisky committed the same offense as Cubana he got sentenced because he pleaded GUILTY when he was arraigned while Cubana Chief Priest pleaded NOT GUILTY, hence, the procedure is different.
Also, the crossdresser was sentenced to prison for 6 months without an option of fine having pleaded guilty. He admitted that he was wrong which made his/her process faster
The celebrity barman was granted Bail because he pleaded NOT GUILTY and that means the EFCC now has to prove that he’s guilty before the court can sentence him to prison, fine him, or both.
The 10M Naira bail condition is not a fine which means he doesn’t have to pay it unless ordered by the court or where he jumps bail. Meanwhile, granting bail for such offense is in line with Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 ( As amended).
Also, there’s still a probability that Cubana Chief Priest may still go to prison if the EFCC can prove the allegations against him.
Mixed Reactions Trail Cubana Chief Priest’s Bail
Cubana’s N10 million bail has sparked mixed reactions on social media.
Some of the commentators pointed out that controversial crossdresser, Bobrisky, was denied bail for a similar offence before his trial while the Cubana Chief priest was granted bail.
They wondered why the two suspects got different rulings for the same “crime.”
Writing on X, @Olamide0fficial said: “Bobrisky got 6 months jail, Cuban Chief Priest got 10 million naira fine for the same offence. This life is not balanced.”
@LawrenceOkoroPG wrote: “Cubana Chief Priest just posted on his IG account.
‘Now it’s confirmed Chief Priest no small”
Money na Water.’
This case was just for transactional purposes as a cover-up for jailing Bob Risky for his gay activities.”
@47kasz said: “I’m starting to believe there was more to jailing Bobrisky than the mutilation of naira cos if the court can grant Cubana chief priest bail for the same offence then why is Bobrisky jailed for 6 months.
“I don’t support Bob but let’s be fr.”
@Abazz stated: “Bobrisky said he is guilty and they arrested him.
“Cubana chief priest said he is not guilty and they released him
“Try dey lie no be every truth go set you free.”
@AsiwajuLerry wrote: “Can someone explain to me, like a 5 years old, why Cubana Chief Priest was granted bail and Bobrisky wasn’t.”
@Bummiearo stated: “Some of you don’t understand what bail means. This is not a judgement. The case continues but Cubana will not be in the custody of EFCC or sleep in a cell while trial is ongoing.
“Bobrisky said he is guilty. So no need for any trial again. The next was to pass judgement.”
