Celebrity barman, Pascal Okechukwu aka Cubana Chiefpriest has been given seven days to perfect his ₦10 million bail condition with two sureties of government workers not less than a salary grade level sixteen, after he pleaded not guilty on Wednesday at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State to three count charge of allegedly spraying naira notes, tampering and abuse of the currency.

Unlike popular crossdresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky who pleaded guilty for same offence and was unable to perfect his administrative bail condition given to him by the EFCC, Cubana ChiefPriest lawyer appealed to the court that Cubana ChiefPriest had been on administrative bail and since he has not defaulted in any aspect of the administrative bail conditions handed him by the EFCC.

Therefore, the lawyer prayed the court to grant Cubana Chiefpriest bail in a liberal term with 14 days period to enable him meet the bail condition since the offence he was accused of, is punishable by option of fine or a jail term not more than six months.

The Court thereafter ordered Cubana Chiefpriest to deposit his International Passport with the court, ₦10 million as bail conditions to be paid within seven days alongside two workers of not less than grade level 16 either from State or Federal civil service that must have landed properties. The court adjourned the matter to May 2, 2024.

Shortly after the court sitting, Cubana Chiefpriest posted on his social media handles and stated in quote thus: “Seeing all your messages and love, I’m so humbled. Now It’s confirmed CP no be small. Money. Na Water”

Details of the court session as reported by the Public Relations Unit of EFCC reads in quote below:

EFCC Arraigns Cubana Chief Priest for Alleged Naira Abuse

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, arraigned a businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, on a three-count charge bordering on abuse of the Naira before Justice Kehinde Ogundare sitting at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Count one reads: That you, Okechukwu Pascal, on 13th February, 2024, at Eko Hotel Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable 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, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”

Count two reads: “ That you, Okechukwu Pascal, sometime in 2020, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, 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 offence contrary to and punishable under Section Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”

Earlier during the proceedings, defence counsel, Chikaozolu Ojukwu, SAN, notified the court of two applications: a preliminary objection and a summons for bail. He, however, prayed that the defendant be allowed to take his plea, and the said applications taken when they are ripe.

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, asked the court for a trial date. Responding, counsel to the defendant, Ojukwu informed the court of an application for bail.

He said: “My lord, we have an application dated and filed 17th April, 2024 for an order admitting the defendant to bail in liberal terms.

The order is predicated on eight grounds, 25 paragraph affidavit and a written address. We rely on the affidavit that the defendant has been on an administrative bail and has not breached the condition of the bail”.

Continuing, Ojukwu stressed that, “the offence of which he is being charged is a misdemeanour for which the punishment is an option of fine or a sentence of not more than six months. I urge the court to exercise your kind discretion in favour of the defendant. I also urge my noble lord to give us 14 days to enable him perfect the bail condition, in the event that bail is granted.”

Upon hearing the submission of the counsel, Justice Ogundare granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦10 million, with two responsible sureties.

The sureties must be gainfully employed within the Federal or State Government Parastatal and must not be less than Grade Level 16 officers. They must possess landed properties and the documents verified by the prosecution.

The Judge also ordered the defendant to submit his passport with the court and all addresses verified by the prosecution. The bail condition is to be perfected within seven days upon an undertaking by the defence counsel to produce him.

The case was adjourned till May 2, 2024 for hearing of the application.

Olukoyede Seeks Diligence and Godliness in Fight against Corruption

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has called on Christian clerics across the country to strive towards diligence and godliness as work ethics and potent weapons against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.

He made this call in Abuja on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 while receiving the Founder and Chaplain of Voice of God Chaplaincy, Reverend Francis Obioha who paid him a courtesy visit at the corporate headquarters of the Commission.

According to Olukoyede, priests play significant roles in nation building through their prayers, accountable conducts, diligence and righteous way of life. “It is a privilege when we have men of God in our midst, we believe in prayers and doing the right thing. Fighting corruption is a calling, asking people to do the right thing is also a calling, so our mandate is similar to your mission. Let us work diligently and righteously at all times and we will be able to save our nation”, he said.

The EFCC’s boss pointed out that preaching and practicing what is good have more impact on people. “Let us talk to ourselves because doing the right thing also begins with us. You can`t be preaching to people when you are not showing examples. Let’s do the right things more than we preach it, for righteousness exalts a nation” he said.

He went further to commend Obioha for taking the initiative to establish Christian chapels in law enforcement environments in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He pledged that the EFCC will support the mission by making sure that anti-corruption messages are passed across the country.

Earlier, Obioha in his speech, thanked the EFCC’s boss for making himself available for God to use him to serve the people. He pointed out God chose him for service and impact. “I want to let you know that all eyes are on you. God chose you for a purpose and I pray God will continue to give you boldness, courage and grace to do the work”, he said.

The cleric explained that God gave him a mandate to preach the gospel to uniformed people. “Till date, God has used us to establish over 25 worship centers in various law enforcement agencies in Abuja. I love the EFCC so much. What you are doing is commendable. Do not be afraid of anybody. You will not fail”, he said.