Cubana Chief Priest Fined N10 Million for Naira Abuse, Ordered to Lead Sensitization Campaign

 Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos has resolved the case involving Okechukwu Pascal, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, who faced charges for abusing Naira notes as brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC acted under Section 14(2) of its Establishment Act, 2004, which permits the Commission to compound offenses by accepting a fine exceeding the maximum statutory penalty. This provision aligns with Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

Cubana Chief Priest was fined N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira), significantly higher than the N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) statutory penalty for his offense. This decision followed a request by his counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, to compound the offenses under the relevant section of the EFCC Act.

An EFCC spokesperson noted, "The N10,000,000 fine imposed on Cubana Chief Priest far exceeds the usual penalty for such offenses, underscoring the seriousness of the violation."

Beyond the monetary fine, Cubana Chief Priest is mandated to lead a robust campaign against the misuse of currency issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The court also required him to post at least two educational video clips on his social media accounts every two months.

Justice Ogundare stated, "The defendant shall bi-monthly post on his various social media handles a minimum of two video clips of his sensitization campaign against abuse of Naira and related offenses. These measures serve as strict deterrents to prevent future desecration of the Naira."

The EFCC reaffirmed its dedication to upholding laws against Naira abuse. "The Special Task Force against Naira Abuse and Dollarisation of the economy remains active," the EFCC stated. "This court ruling should encourage greater commitment among Nigerians to protect the sanctity of the Naira and avoid infractions against the nation’s legal tender."

The case of Cubana Chief Priest sets a significant precedent and serves as a warning about the serious consequences of disrespecting Nigeria's currency.