Cubana Chief Priest, the nightlife promoter, has pleaded not guilty to the charges bordering on naira abuse.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives on Tuesday filed a three-count charge against the social media celebrity.
Cubana, born Pascal Okechukwu, is accused of spraying and tampering with the naira at a social event — contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
He was arraigned at the federal high court in Lagos.
The counts against the Instagram celebrity read: “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 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.
“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 offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
“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.”
When the charges were read during court sitting, the social media celebrity pleaded not guilty to them.
Kehinde Ogundare, the judge, thereafter granted him bail in the sum of N10 million with two responsible sureties in like sum.
The sureties must be employed with the federal or state government and not less than grade level 16 and they must own landed property and the document must be verified by the court.
Cubana is also expected to submit his travel passport to the court.
The judge ruled that the bail conditions must be perfected within seven days.
Cubana was released to his lawyer who must give an undertaken to produce him later. He will be remanded in correctional facility if his lawyer fails to do so.
