On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Lagos State granted bail to businessman and socialite Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like amount.
Cubana Chief Priest had earlier pleaded not guilty to charges of tampering with and abusing the naira during his trial.
He was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count charge related to abusing the 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.
The charges stemmed from an incident on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel, where Cubana Chief Priest was accused of spraying the naira and tampering with N500 notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) while dancing at a social event.
After pleading not guilty, the court granted him bail with the condition that his two sureties must be gainfully employed by the federal or state government at a minimum grade level of 16.
Following his release on bail, Cubana Chief Priest took to Instagram to express gratitude to his friends and fans for their support and commented on his wealth, stating that his arraignment and subsequent bail confirmed that he is not “small.”
He wrote, “Seeing all your messages and love. I’m so humbled. Now it’s confirmed CP [Chief Priest] no small. Money na water.”