Adedokun Waliyu 
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a three-count charge against Cubana Chief Priest, the nightlife promoter, for alleged abuse of the Nigerian currency.
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.
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.”
Cubana will be arraigned on April 17, before Kehinde Ogundare, a judge of the federal high court in Lagos.
The social media celebrity is well known for his luxurious lifestyle.
Cubana is also known for his affiliation with Davido, the Afrobeats singer.
He served as the general manager of Cubana Groups but left the brand in September 2020 and established Club Xhrine in Owerri, Imo.
The nightlife promoter was honoured with a doctor of science in event and luxury hospitality management degree from the European American University in 2021.
In January 2022, Cubana was appointed as a social media aide to Hope Uzodinma, the governor of Imo state.
His arraignment comes a few days after Bobrisky, another social media celebrity, was sentenced to six months in prison for abusing the naira.
Last Friday, Abimbola Awogboro, a judge of the federal high court in Lagos, held that Bobrisky’s sentence is without the option of a fine.
The anti-graft agency recently said it is investigating several celebrities who may have been involved in currency abuse.
