House of Rep Demands EFCC Probe of Cubana Chief Priest Over Money Laundering

House of Representatives member Chinedu Ogah has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate popular socialite and businessman Pascal Okechukwu, better known as Cubana Chief Priest, over allegations bordering on money laundering and the source of his wealth.

Ogah, who represents the Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, made the demand while reacting to recent comments by Cubana Chief Priest against Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru.

The lawmaker questioned the socialite’s background and what he described as his basis for publicly attacking the governor.

In a video statement, Ogah asked, “Who is Cubana Chief Priest? What does he do for a living? Who gave him the audacity to speak against the Ebonyi State Governor? Is it about drinking?”

The lawmaker went further by questioning the source of Cubana Chief Priest’s wealth and called on the anti-graft agency to examine his financial activities.

Cubana Chief Priest had recently called on Governor Nwifuru to leave office, questioning the level of development recorded in Ebonyi since the governor assumed office in 2023.

The socialite had questioned how Nwifuru could have spent almost three years in office without major projects being commissioned in the state by President Bola Tinubu or other state governors.

He also compared Ebonyi with other states in the South-East and expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as the slow pace of development in the state.

Cubana Chief Priest further criticised the political leadership of Ebonyi, alleging that the state had failed to move with the times.

The comments triggered a response from Ogah, who accused the socialite of attempting to undermine the governor and, by extension, the interests of the state.

The lawmaker also linked the controversy to the wider political situation in the South-East and President Tinubu’s administration.

Ogah alleged that Cubana Chief Priest was part of efforts aimed at undermining the Federal Government’s development initiatives in the region.

He also made other allegations against the businessman, including a claim that he arranged for hoodlums to remove items from a stadium and take them to his residence.

The lawmaker questioned how Cubana Chief Priest had built his public profile and financial standing at a relatively young age.

He also referred to the socialite’s recent political ambition in Imo State while questioning his influence within the political space.

Cubana Chief Priest had earlier contested for the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives race in Imo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He later clarified that he voluntarily withdrew from the race before the party’s primary election.

He said his decision followed consultations with Governor Hope Uzodimma and discussions around the party’s zoning arrangement in the constituency.

Reports had earlier circulated that he failed to secure the APC ticket, but he denied participating in the primary.

Earlier in 2026, Cubana Chief Priest publicly expressed support for Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid and presented himself as a supporter of the administration’s political agenda in the South-East.

Ogah, meanwhile, maintained that the socialite should explain the source of his wealth and called for an investigation by the EFCC.

The demand is coming despite Cubana Chief Priest’s previous encounter with the anti-graft agency.

In 2024, the EFCC prosecuted him before the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged abuse of the naira.

He was charged with spraying and tampering with Nigerian currency at a social event. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.

The case was later resolved through an out-of-court settlement.

The earlier case was, however, separate from the money-laundering allegations now raised by Ogah.

There is no indication that the EFCC has opened a new investigation against Cubana Chief Priest over the allegations contained in the lawmaker’s latest statement.