The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to charge Pascal Okechukwu, a prominent Nigerian socialist who is best known as the Cuban Chief Priest, for alleged misuse of the naira currency.
Chief Priest faces a three-count charge for willfully contravening the Central Bank Act 2007. The EFCC accused him of spraying and tampering with naira currency during social events, which was considered criminal offence. violate the above-mentioned law.
Slated to appear in court on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, the Chief Priest will face Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The charges, filed on April 4 by EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo, along with seven other lawyers representing the Chairman of the Commission, outline the allegations against the Chief Priest.
Count 1 alleges that on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel, the Chief Priest forged N500 notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying them for two hours during a social event, contrary to Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007 .
Count 2 stated that a similar offense was committed in Lagos in 2020 during another social event, with the Chief Priest spraying N500 notes for two hours, in violation of the Central Bank Act.
Count 3 alleges a repeat offense in January 2024 in Lagos, where Chief Priest scattered N500 notes during a social event, again in violation of the Central Bank Act.
This development follows the recent arraignment of another social media personality, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, on similar charges by the EFCC. Bobrisky was later sentenced to six months in prison without bail.
