The Federal High Court in Lagos State, on Wednesday, granted businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, N10m bail with two sureties in like sum.
Earlier, the celebrity bar man pleaded not guilty to tampering and abusing the naira during his trial.
Cubana Chief Priest was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on three counts bordering on abuse of 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.
He was alleged to have sprayed the naira on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel.
Cubana Chief Priest was said to have also committed the offences while dancing during a social event.
He was said to have tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 notes issued by the CBN by spraying the same for two hours.
In the charge marked FHC/L/ 246/2024, obtained by The PUNCH, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alleged that sometime in 2020, during a social event in Lagos, Cubana Chief Priest tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, by spraying the same for two hours.
In Count 3, it was alleged: “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.”
The EFCC, on April 5, 2024, secured the conviction of popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, on similar charges for which he was sentenced to six-month imprisonment on Friday, April 12, 2024.
Earlier on Sunday, the EFCC revealed that it was probing several celebrities over alleged abuse of Naira notes.
In a statement, its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said, “Many of them have made useful statements to the commission and many more have been invited by investigators working on the matter.
“The EFCC will not relent in its no-sacred-cow mode of operations and the public should be wary of running afoul of laws against the crime.”
Details later…
[Punch]
Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of tampering and abusing the naira during his arraignment at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday.
The socialite and businessman faced three counts of naira abuse, stemming from his actions at a social event held at Eko Hotel on February 13, 2024.
Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court presided over the case, where Cubana Chief Priest was accused of spraying N500 notes—a violation of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Act of 2007, which prohibits such actions.
It was alleged that he engaged in this act for two hours during the event, while dancing.
Cubana Chief Priest, whose real name is Pascal Okechukwu, was later granted bail of N10 million by the court after pleading not guilty to the charges brought against him.
Earlier reports revealed that Cubana Chief Priest was apprehended by operatives of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos for the alleged offenses.
Following his detention, he was transported to court under heavy armed police escort and arrived at approximately 8:45 am on the day of the trial.
Judgement is expected to be passed today by Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos in respect to the three count of charges against Cubana Chiefpriest.
The case comes days after cross-dresser, Bobrisky was sentenced to six-month in prison for similar offences.
Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has pleaded with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following the prosecution of some celebrities.
Speaking in a recent Instagram live session on Tuesday, Portable appealed to the anti-graft to forgive him if they have any evidence against him abusing the Naira.
He said it was never his intention to mutilate the Naira, stressing that he only sprays money to help the masses.
Portable noted that he respects constituted authority and will not commit such an offence again.
The ‘Zazoo Zeh’ hitmaker also encouraged his followers to open bank accounts. The singer said he will henceforth be making transfers to his supporters and “people in need” through their bank accounts.
He wrote, “I use my money to build love. I used my money to build relationships. Did I spray money at the club? I was spraying money in the area where they need me.
“I didn’t deface the naira, I help a lot of people, After God na Government, Please forgive me if you have videos of me spraying money, no more spraying of money.”
Recalls that the EFCC arraign popular socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest for Naira abuse, days after a crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, was sent to prison for a similar offence.
Nigerian singer, Lara George, has tackled the Senior Pastor of Dunamic Church, Paul Enenche, over the apology to Vera Anyim, a lady who testified about having a “B.Sc Law” from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
Naija News recalls that Veronica Anyim shared her testimony on Sunday of how God made her the “only graduate in her family.”
During the testimony, Veronica said she graduated with a “BSc in Law” from NOUN, but the pastor interjected her testimony.
Enenche asked what kind of degree she graduated with and she said “B.Sc in Law”, he thereafter accused the testifier of lying.
The saga irked many netizens on social media, with some asking Enenche to apologise to Veronica while others defended the clergyman’s action.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Personal Assistant, Sylvester Edoh, Pastor Enenche apologised to the lady and said he never intended to disgrace Veronica when he interjected while she was testifying.
However, Lara George, in a post on her Instagram page, faulted the statement issued regarding the testimony saga, stating that Enenche’s apology leaves room for doubt.
The singer urged Pastor Enenche to properly apologise to Vera, as his team’s write-up was an insult.
She wrote: “Erm. That’s not an apology. When it leaves room for doubt, you haven’t apologised. WWJD? Be humble enough to apologise to her properly. Let your apology be as loud and as clear as your criticism.
“Nah! It’s not nice. Doesn’t matter who you are, we should all treat others as we would like to be treated. She doesn’t speak as well as you think she should, therefore you can conclude she is telling a lie? Based on the way she speaks?
“The way she speaks is a reflection of what we have allowed in our society. Every politician that you coddled instead of speaking the truth to, who stole funds that should have gone into healthcare, or education, or any other public welfare initiative…… well…… that’s the outcome. Graduates who speak like that. And you…. contributed to the condition of that society. The contributions from people like her is what has built the edifice you sit in. And while you sit there, we don’t hear you speak for the voiceless or defend the helpless.
“Nah. It’s not nice. Apologise to her properly. Unequivocally. That write-up that you had your people do, is really an insult on top of her injury. You know this. You would never dare address the matter that way if she was from a wealthy background.
“At the end of the day, the way you treat someone who you think you will never need is the true indicator of your character.”
The government of Katsina State has shut down three petrol stations suspected of supplying fuel to bandits in the state.
The governor’s Chief of Staff, Jabiru Salisu Tsauri, spearheaded the task force established to tackle grain hoarding and unwarranted food price increases, which conducted the raid, resulting in the closure.
Speaking to newsmen after closing the petrol stations, Tsauri stated that the committee had the authority to arrest suspected individuals and detain them for up to 48 hours before initiating court proceedings.
He said the committee received intelligence that the affected petrol stations were supplying fuel to bandits during nighttime and early morning hours.
Nevertheless, one businessman affected by the situation, opting not to disclose their identity, rebuffed the allegations, affirming their commitment to operating their business cautiously and denying any involvement in activities that could threaten the state’s security.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has said his government will no longer pay ransom to bandits and Boko Haram terrorists.
He stated this in an article he wrote and published by Newsweek on April 15, 2024, in commemoration of the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls ten years ago.
The President stated that the resolution of kidnapping through ransom payment only perpetuates more abductions, saying that extortion rackets must be squeezed out of existence.
Seun Jimoh, a Nollywood actor, has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is unfairly targeting celebrities in its current crackdown on Naira abusers.
He was reacting to the news that the commission is set to arraign popular socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest for Naira abuse days after crossdresser, Bobrisky was sent to prison for a similar offence.
Jimoh said it is “unfair that certain people are being selected for a crime almost 70% of Nigerians or more are guilty of with overwhelming video evidence all over the internet.”
He argued that the “scapegoat approach to cultural reforms is quite sinister and lacks any concern for the mental health of the Nigerian citizens.”
On his Instagram page, he wrote: “It looks like scapegoats are being selected to send a message to the general populace. But then, is it not unfair that certain people are being selected for a crime almost 70% of Nigerians or more are guilty of with overwhelming video evidence all over the internet?!
“Why hasn’t anyone ever caught on video spraying money between the time the law has been in effect till now being arrested? Why celebrities? Celebrities are citizens too! This scapegoat approach to cultural reforms is quite sinister and lacks any concern for the mental health of the Nigerian citizens.”
Farida Fasasi, the widow of the late veteran Nigerian singer, Lanre Fasasi, is in a happy mood.
She is in a celebratory mood as she turns 40 today, April 16.
Farida shared a lovely family photo of herself and the four kids she shared with her late husband.
She wrote; ’As I reach this milestone, I am grateful for the wisdom and experiences that come with age. May the next chapter of my life be filled with love, laughter, and continued growth.
"Cheers to 40 years of life! I celebrate the journey that has shaped me into the person I am today alhamdulillah''
Farida and the late Sound Sultan were married for 11 years before he died on July 11, 2021, after a long battle with Throat cancer.
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Yoruba Nation agitators issued a threat yesterday, warning of further disruption if security forces do not release their members responsible for raising their flag at the Oyo State House of Assembly.
Recall that 21 suspected agitators and several weapons, berets, soldiers’ boots, caps, charms and other dangerous weapons were paraded by the state Police Command.
The agitators, through their Deputy Coordinator, Victor Adewale, in a statement, also threatened President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to bear the brunts if they fail to release arrested agitators.
The statement claimed that the said Adewale is based in Sweden and serves as the European Coordinator of the Oodua Progressive Union, OPU.
It noted that he was installed Akingbayi Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland in 2020.
The statement reads: “If Seyi Makinde refuses to release our men that were arrested and makes them sleep in the cell, he has called for war and Bola Tinubu will be greatly affected. The way we will ravage, you won’t all understand.
“I’m directed to warn you for the last time. Governor Makinde must release our warriors he arrested at the secretariat in Ibadan. He must release them immediately, he should return them to the secretariat, let them be doing their own there and we should be doing ours.
“If he continues to hold them, wherever you are; you will be rooted out. Our proclamation letters are with them. Tinubu, Tunji Disu, Makinde and all Amotekun in Yoruba land and the police, you must release those guys immediately. War is coming and I want to implore Yoruba people to go out en masse to protest. However, whether you like it or not, we have an interim government now for Yoruba Nation.”
Invasion on riverine community: How my 15-month-old baby was burnt to death— Bereaved mother
AFOLABI
I tried to save him but was attacked with cutlass – Grandfather
Mrs Mariam Israel, mother of the 15-month-old baby, who was burnt to death by hoodlums that invaded Egan Oriomi, a riverine community in Otto Awori Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Ojo, Lagos, on Saturday, yesterday said she was prevented from saving the child.
Vanguard gathered that five persons out of the 12 suspects arrested on Monday in connection with the invasion have been released.
The weekend’s attack on the community led to the burning of 15 houses, 10 persons shot and scores of others among whom was a nonagenarian, inflicted with deep machete cuts on his body, by hoodlums alleged to have been hired by some politicians over a lingering kingship tussle.
The bereaved mother, who is yet to come to terms with the death of her baby, spoke to Vanguard, during a visit to Femi Falana’s law firm in Ikeja, alongside other affected members of the community, about how the tragedy occurred.
She said in tears: “My husband is a bricklayer. He went for site work in Surulere that fateful day. Before Saturday, we had been seeing strange faces in the community. Some persons in the community alerted the Police. I also called my husband to inform him of the strange faces because there had been rumour of an imminent attack. He told me to take our two children inside.
“They started shooting about 11 p.m., on Friday. Again, I called my husband to inform him. By then, my baby, Emmanuel, was sleeping with his elder sister.
“By midnight, they started hitting the wall of the room. The next thing I saw was a flame of fire and the smoke covered the entire building. In my confused state, I carried only one of the children and ran out, thinking I would go back to pick up the other child.
“By the time I got outside, I started shouting for help. They prevented everyone from entering the building to save my baby. I kept hearing the cry of my baby until it fainted. The next time I saw my baby, he had been roasted to death.
“They burnt everything, leaving my family bare. I only ran out of a wrapper. Every day, my girl kept asking after Emmanuel.
“ I need justice for my baby, who was killed horribly. Nigerians, please, help me beg Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to come to our aid. They want to silence us because they feel we are poor, voiceless and helpless. Those who sent the hoodlums are politicians who feel we don’t know anyone in the government.”
On his part, her father-in-law, Mr Akinsanya Taofiq, said: “I tried my best to save my grandson. I live in the same community with my son. But on that day, I decided to spend the night with his family because of the strange faces roaming the community.
“When my daughter-in-law raised the alarm that her baby was inside, I attempted to rush inside to save him. But they attacked me with cutlasses, even when I begged them to consider the baby. One of my sons, who came to rescue me from their grips had his skull smashed with a bottle.”
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has further slashed diesel prices, from N1,200 to N1,000 per litre, aiming to mitigate the escalating inflation rates in Nigeria.
This reduction follows a previous price cut three weeks ago when the refinery initially decreased its diesel price by over 30%, down from N1,600 to N1,200 per litre.
The refinery has described this decision as a strategic move expected to “this significant reduction in the price of diesel, at Dangote Petroleum Refinery, is expected to positively affect all the spheres of the economy and ultimately reduce the high inflation rate in the country.”
During an interview with newsmen, the Executive Director of the Dangote Group, Devakumar Edwin, emphasized the refinery’s robust output capabilities.
“We have substantial quantities. Products are being evacuated both by sea and road. Ships are lining up one after another to load diesel and aviation jet fuel. Ships load a minimum of 26 million litres, though we try to push for 37 million litres vessels, for ease of operations,” Edwin stated.
The announcement comes days after an APC chieftain in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, called on President Bola Tinubu to address what he termed excessively high diesel prices at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
In a press conference in Osogbo, Oyintiloye argued that, “as a domestically produced commodity, diesel prices should be significantly lower than those of imported counterparts.”
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Yoruba Nation: No Abiola's Has Right To Promote Division Of This Country – Family Disowns MKO’s Widow
AFOLABIThe family of the late MKO Abiola has distanced itself from the declaration of support for the Yoruba Nation agitators by one of the late billionaire’s widows, Dupe Onitiri-Abiola.
Naija News reports that Onitiri-Abiola had in a viral video on social media declared that the Democratic Republic of Yoruba came into existence on Friday, April 12, a day before the agitators invaded the Oyo State Government secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking in the Yoruba dialect, Onitiri-Abiola said, “We are indigenous people. We are sovereign people. We are ethnic nationalists. That we should leave Nigeria. Today, April 12, 2024, we leave with the power of God.
“I, Modupe Onitiri-Abiola, proclaim the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Yoruba. From today, Yoruba land begins its government. It has become the newest nation. Yoruba became a country that nobody is against. This is hereby established. I, Modupe Onitire-Abiola, am an origin of Yoruba. I am MKO Abiola’s widow.”
However, reacting to Onitiri-Abiola declaration on behalf of the family, one of the late Abiola’s children, Jamiu told Punch that she was on her own.
Jamiu, who is currently the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties, urged Nigerians not to take her proclamation as representing the family seriously.
He said, “I heard about that, and like almost all Nigerians, I didn’t take her (Onitiri-Abiola) declaration seriously. I have never met her in my life, talk less of knowing her motives. But that is not what is important.
“When it comes to Nigeria’s unity, many people know how much my father believed in it. Even after his arrest and incarceration, not once did he advocate for Nigeria’s division. So I don’t believe any Abiola has the right to promote the division of this country.
“Particularly now, because if my father were alive today, he would have been so happy that his closest and most highly competent associate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is doing all he would have wanted to do if he had been allowed to exercise his mandate.”
He explained that the late MKO had four official wives “in addition to women who are also known as his wives.”
According to Jamiu, the late Abiola adopted certain kinds of relationships as a way of taking care of as many people as possible.
Multiple video clips where Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana chief priest, was seen abusing the Nigerian Naira have surfaced on social media after his arrest on Tuesday evening.
Naija News had earlier reported that Cubana chief priest was arrested on Tuesday evening for abusing the Naira.
His arrest came Naija News reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would arraign Cubana Chief Priest over alleged abuse of the Naira.
According to reports, the anti-graft agency will arraign Cubana Chief Priest on a three-count charge of allegedly spraying and tampering with the Naira notes at a social event contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
In the charge filed on April 4 by the EFFC’s prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), and seven other lawyers representing the executive chairman of the anti-graft Commission, it was alleged that Okechukwu Pasca on February 13, 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) notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
In count 2, it was alleged “that you, Okechukwu Pasca,l 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.”
In count 3, it was alleged: “that you, Okechukwu Pasca,l 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.”
Recall that the EFCC on April 5 secured the conviction of a popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, on similar charges for which he was sentenced to six months imprisonment.
However, upon news of his arrest, multiple videos of the socialite abusing the Naira have continued to make rounds on social media
See One of the Videos Below:
Media
A fresh survey has revealed that some filling stations in Lagos State have implemented a downward review in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol.
It is understood that previously, fuel in the filling stations sold for between ₦640 and ₦660 per litre, but currently, the stations observed have reduced the price of petrol to ₦620.
The reduction in price is attributed to the strengthening of the Nigerian Naira against the US Dollar in recent weeks.
Also, a fuel station manager who spoke with Legit on the development said they are able to offer petrol at a cheaper price of ₦620 per litre because they got a new supply, which is cheaper than what they used to pay at the depot previously.
“For days, we have been closed and have just received our supply. Although other stations around us sell at N650, we are able to offer it at a cheaper rate because we just got a new supply which is less than what we paid previously,” the station manager, identified as Kunle Ademola, told the publication.
Although the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has not officially announced any reduction in the price of petrol, its stations sell the product at N580 per litre.
If sustained, the reduced price of petrol is expected to result in cheaper transport costs over time and a reduction in the price of commodities as marketers pay less to move their goods.
The Naira experienced a significant rally against the US Dollar, breaking through critical resistance levels to trade below N1,000 in some segments of the black market as of late Sunday.
This performance aligns with earlier predictions by Goldman Sachs and comes amid heightened global geopolitical tensions.
“The Naira’s current bullish momentum is projected to persist, potentially pushing the exchange rate below N1000 per US dollar in the upcoming months,” economists from the American investment bank, Goldman Sachs, commented.
This upturn in the Naira’s value follows a period of volatility where it suffered considerable devaluations since last June. Efforts by Nigerian financial authorities, including successive interest rate hikes now pegged at 24.75%, and strategic foreign exchange interventions have notably contributed to this stabilization.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) aggressive monetary policy adjustments and the implementation of new market strategies have been central to the recovery of the Naira from its prior losses,” a CBN spokesperson stated during the latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.
Additionally, the geopolitical landscape has influenced market movements. The recent Iranian strike on Israel spurred a flight to safety, which bolstered the US dollar against other currencies.
However, the dollar steadied after initial gains, with Israeli ministers indicating no immediate plans for retaliation, which somewhat eased market fears.
Goldman Sachs had earlier adjusted its forecast in March, predicting that the Naira would strengthen to N1200 per dollar by 2024. The firm cited increased capital inflows and a series of policy initiatives aimed at bringing stability to the foreign exchange market as key drivers behind this optimistic outlook.
Finance Minister Wale Edun also unveiled plans for higher inflows of US dollars, including the sale of foreign currency bonds in the second quarter. This move is part of broader efforts to attract overseas capital with high-yield short-term debt products.
Despite the rallying Naira and strategies to boost economic inflows, Nigeria’s gross foreign reserves have declined, even as global commodity prices, particularly crude oil, continue to rise. Nigeria’s oil grades are currently trading at a premium over the ICE Brent benchmark, which could potentially offset the negative fiscal impacts of reduced production volumes.
“The ongoing geopolitical unrest in the Middle East and the anticipation of further instability have had significant ripple effects on global markets, influencing commodity prices and currency valuations alike,” explained an industry analyst.