Famous businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, has been granted N10m bail with two sureties in like sum by the Federal High Court in Lagos State.

It was earlier reported that 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.

More to come…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a three-count charge against prominent Instagram personality Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, for allegedly spraying and tampering with the naira during a social event in violation of the Central Bank Act of 2007.

Cubana Chief Priest is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024, before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The charges was filed on April 4th by EFFC’s prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) alongside seven other lawyers representing the chairman of the Commission.

In Count 1, it was alleged, “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”.

In count 2, it was alleged, “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”.

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”.

This is coming days after the EFCC arraigned controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye better known as Bobrisky on similar charges for which he was sentenced to a six-month jail term.

In the wake of the actor Junior Pope’s passing, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has put a stop to any filming in riverine areas.

On his way to a filming site on Wednesday, Pope, whose real name is John Paul Odonwodo, slipped into the River Niger in Asaba, Delta state.

He was reportedly accompanied by a few other actors.

The actor passed away as a result of the boat accident, according to AGN national secretary Abubakar Yakubu.

A few hours later, Yakubu said the actor “was alive but in a coma”.

But on Thursday morning, Emeka Rollas, president of the AGN, confirmed the death of Pope.

Rollas, who had earlier announced that Pope was “alive”, said: “My first post was out of excitement when we noticed his tingling fingers”.

In a follow-up statement, the AGN president said the production of the movie titled ‘Another Side of Life’, which the crew members were going to before losing their lives, has also been suspended.

The AGN president also instructed that no one should work with Adamma Luke, the producer of the movie, “until further notice”.

Rollas also declared Thursday, April 11 as ‘No Shoot Day’ for all filmmakers.

“Following the tragic incident of boat mishap that claimed the life of Mr. John Paul Odonwodo aka Junior Pope and four other crew members at waterside of River Niger Cable point Asaba on 10th of April 2024 on a movie set titled “The other side of Life” produced by Adamma Luke. The Leadership of the Guild has taken the following decisions,” the statement reads in part.

“All Films that involve riverine areas and boat riding is hereby suspended indefinitely.

“No Shoot on all locations Nationwide on Thursday 11th April 2024. The film titled “Another Side of Life is suspended indefinitely.

“No actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer till further notice. While we keep searching for the bodies of the remaining persons may their soul rest in peace.”