By Isaac Mission
A member of the House of Representatives, Chinedu Ogah, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate businessman and socialite Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest.
Ogah, who represents Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, made the call while reacting to recent comments by Cubana Chief Priest concerning Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru.
The lawmaker questioned the businessman’s source of income and the basis for his criticism of the governor.
In a video statement, Ogah asked questions about Cubana Chief Priest’s occupation, background and source of wealth, before urging the EFCC to examine his financial activities.
The controversy followed comments by Cubana Chief Priest in which he called on Governor Nwifuru to leave office. The socialite also questioned the level of development recorded in Ebonyi since Nwifuru became governor in 2023.
He expressed concern that nearly three years into the administration, major projects had allegedly not been commissioned in the state by President Bola Tinubu or other state governors.
Cubana Chief Priest also compared Ebonyi with other South-East states and criticised what he described as the slow pace of development and political leadership in the state.
His remarks drew a response from Ogah, who accused the socialite of making statements capable of undermining the governor and the interests of Ebonyi State.
The lawmaker further alleged that Cubana Chief Priest had been involved in activities intended to frustrate development efforts linked to the Federal Government in the South-East. He also made an allegation concerning the removal of items from a stadium by alleged hoodlums and their transfer to the socialite’s residence.
Ogah questioned how Cubana Chief Priest accumulated his wealth and prominence at a relatively young age. He also referred to the businessman’s previous interest in elective politics in Imo State.
Cubana Chief Priest had indicated interest in contesting the APC House of Representatives ticket in Imo State ahead of the 2027 elections but later said he withdrew from the race voluntarily.
According to him, the decision followed consultations with Governor Hope Uzodimma and discussions concerning the zoning arrangement in the constituency. He subsequently denied reports that he lost the party’s primary election.
Earlier in 2026, Cubana Chief Priest also publicly backed President Bola Tinubu’s bid for another term in 2027 and expressed support for the administration's political interests in the South-East.
Ogah has now asked the EFCC to scrutinise Cubana Chief Priest’s finances and establish the source of his wealth.
The call comes against the background of the socialite’s previous case with the anti-graft agency. In 2024, the EFCC prosecuted him before the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged abuse of the naira, relating to the spraying and handling of Nigerian currency at a social gathering.
He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail, while the matter was subsequently resolved through an out-of-court settlement.
That earlier case was separate from the money-laundering allegations raised by Ogah.
As of the time of the report, there was no indication that the EFCC had commenced a fresh investigation into Cubana Chief Priest based on the allegations contained in Ogah’s latest statement.
