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EFCC’s Judgment on Cubana Chief Priest Just a Fine and Step Against Naira Abuse
In a recent judgment by Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos, the case against Okechukwu Pascal, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has set a precedent in the fight against Naira abuse. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought three counts against him, focusing on the desecration of Nigeria’s legal tender.
The EFCC, acting under Section 14(2) of its Establishment Act of 2004, compounded the offenses by imposing a fine of N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira). This amount far exceeds the standard penalty of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) for such infractions, showcasing the Commission’s commitment to deterring future violations.
This significant fine came as a result of a request by the defense counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, for the offenses to be compounded under the said section of the EFCC Act. The court’s decision also mandates Cubana Chief Priest to spearhead an extensive awareness campaign against the abuse of Naira notes and coins as stipulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.
As part of his penalty, Cubana Chief Priest is required to post a minimum of two video clips bi-monthly on his social media platforms, promoting the proper handling of the Naira and discouraging any form of abuse. This unique form of punishment aims not only at penalizing him but also at educating the public and preventing future offenses.
The EFCC’s Special Task Force against Naira Abuse and the Dollarization of the economy remains vigilant. This judgment should serve as a wake-up call for all Nigerians to uphold the sanctity of the Naira and avoid any actions that could undermine the nation’s legal tender.
For more stories and updates, visit [www.efcc.gov.ng](http://www.efcc.gov.ng).
Three kidnappers suspected to have attempted to kidnap the wife of a member of the Delta State House of Assembly have been killed by the police in a fierce gun duel.
According to the information on PUNCH Metro, it was gathered that the hoodlums had failed in an attempt to kidnap the woman on September 2, 2024, at the Okoloba Junction, Jakpa Road, Uvwie, where the suspected kidnappers killed two policemen and the driver, Mr. David Imela, during the incident.
However, the police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, confirmed this to the PUNCH Metro on Sunday in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
He said, “Following the failed attempted kidnap of the wife of one of the members of Delta State House of Assembly where the suspected kidnappers murdered two Mobile Policemen and the driver, the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, immediately ordered a water-tight deployment around Warri and its environs as well as narrowing the roads and blockage of all exit points.
“Police operatives of the Ebrumede Division led by the DPO CSP Iwok Ndifereke strategically deployed and created an artificial hold-up at the DSC Roundabout and sighted the vehicle as described with a matching registration number.
“On noticing the traffic and sighting the policemen, the hoodlums opened fire on the team which the team equally responded professionally owing to the busy nature of the area.”
He said the hoodlums immediately abandoned the vehicle shattered with bullets and escaped with bullet injuries while three AK-47 rifles and their operational vehicle with registration no. WWR-436-GZ were recovered.
According to Edafe, the CP who was not satisfied with their escape, directed that the DPO Ebrumede should go all out and ensure the suspects were arrested and brought to book.
“Armed with available information and exhibits found in the abandoned vehicle, on October 3, 2024, the DPO Ebrumede Division, CSP Iwok Ndifereke, led operatives to their hideout in Agbarho where the police engaged the suspects in a fierce gun duel.
“The policemen who prepared for the battle ahead overpowered the hoodlums, three of the suspects sustained serious gunshot injuries while others escaped and another AK-47 rifle was also recovered.
“The suspects were taken to the hospital where they were confirmed dead. A manhunt for the other fleeing members of the gang is ongoing,” he said.
Edafe said Olufemi also commended the bravery the DPO and his men displayed during the operation and urged other officers and men of the command to emulate them.
The Ogun State police command on Monday said that its Igbeba Division, Ijebu-Ode, arrested one Shedrack Olawale Olayemi, who had been on the police wanted list for armed robbery and alleged rape of some female students of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, in July.
The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists on Monday.
Odutola said that Olayemi was picked up after an intelligence report revealed that the 33-year-old alleged armed robber and rapist was sighted at the university area, Ijagun, where he has been trying to conceal his identity.
The statement said, “The divisional police officer of Igbeba Division has arrested a wanted notorious suspect for armed robbery.
“Following a tip-off, that one Olayemi Olawale Shedrack, aged 33 was sighted in Ijagun, trying to conceal himself among other citizens, but his identity was immediately confirmed by intelligence, and the police were contacted. In swift action, he was apprehended.
“Olayemi Olawale Shedrack has been on the police search for armed robbery and rape. He was fingered as the prime suspect for an alleged crime of armed robbery and rape in which he participated actively on the 21st of July, 2024, where he and his cohort broke into a female Royal Villa accommodation area in Tai University of Education Ijagun, where he robbed harmless female students of their luxury educational devices, including laptops, iPhones, sports wristwatches and cash, and further had unlawful carnal knowledge of the innocent female student and has since fled.”
The police said that a preliminary investigation has commenced, and the suspect has been immediately taken to the Igbeba police station for interrogation and will soon be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation and prosecution.
The U.S. President appeared with Vice President Kamala Harris together at a White House event focused on “curbing gun violence.”
Joe Biden signed a new executive order that will restrict the use of certain gun technologies. Specifically, authorities will crack down on the threat of 3D printed weapons and “ghost guns”.
A task force is being set up to assess the risks of devices that remake semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic weapons.
Schools will also revise their approach to shooting clubs, according to the executive order. The feds will develop specific guidelines to ensure that “active shooter” lessons aren’t psychologically damaging to kids.
Biden said that if we want to reduce crime in the U.S., we have to talk about guns. Harris said she favors a complete ban on assault weapons, as well as implementing background checks for purchasers and passing strict safe storage laws.
