Celebrity bartender and nightlife figure Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, has publicly declared his support for his longtime friend Emeka Okonkwo, aka E-Money, after the latter was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
E-Money was reportedly taken into custody by EFCC operatives on Monday night at his residence in the Omole area of Lagos. Sources within the commission stated that his arrest stemmed from allegations of spraying U.S. dollars at a public event a violation of Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange Act as well as the abuse of the Naira.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Cubana Chief Priest commended E-Money’s contributions to the South-East, citing the recent Easter “Homecoming” concert as a major achievement. He implied that E-Money’s rising profile may have made him a target.
“He just showcased the South-East in a big way with his Homecoming Concert. I knew they’d come after him they’ve seen his impact. This is an attempt to silence him,” he wrote.
He went on to add: “The oppression of the Igbo people hasn’t stopped, but neither will we. We’re resilient. More billionaires will emerge. By 2027, we’ll vote on our own terms. This isn’t our end it’s fuel for our rise. Brother, I’ve been through it. It’s nothing. Like a Rolls Royce it’s a symbol of status.”
Cubana Chief Priest himself faced similar scrutiny earlier this year. On April 17, 2024, he was arraigned for allegedly spraying cash at a Lagos event. He pleaded not guilty and was granted ₦10 million bail. The case was later settled and the charges dropped.
EFCC officials confirmed that E-Money’s arrest is related to currency defacement and foreign exchange law violations. One official said, “He was detained for abusing the Naira and allegedly spraying foreign currency, which is against the law.”
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