EFCC Arrest Obi Cubana In Abuja And Accuses Him of Money Laundering & Tax Fraud

Popular socialite and businessman, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for money laundering and tax fraud. The Anambra-born club owner and entrepreneur arrived the headquarters of the EFCC at Jabi in Abuja, around afternoon on Monday, and was still at the EFCC office as of today.

Allegations against the socialite were sketchy as of press time, but a credible source disclosed that his case bordered on alleged money laundering and tax fraud.

The source said; “Obi Cubana was arrested and brought to the EFCC headquarters on Monday afternoon over allegations of money laundering and tax fraud. He is being grilled by detectives as we speak.”

The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said he had yet to be briefed on the development. Obi Cubana made headlines in July 2021 when he hosted a lavish burial for his mother in Oba, Anambra State, as over 200 cows were reportedly slaughtered on that day.

Unfortunately, Obi Cubana has spend his second day at the EFCC custody, while his passport where seized. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly confiscated the passport of Nigerian popular socialite and businessman Obi Cubana, who was arrested on Monday for alleged money laundering and tax fraud.

It was gathered that the seizure of his travel document was to prevent him from leaving the country while under investigation. Our checks revealed that the anti-graft agency seized the Anambra-born social media influencer and kept him at the EFCC custody for the second day on Tuesday at its Abuja headquarters.

A source stated; “Obi Cubana has not been released, he is still having quality sessions with investigators over alleged money laundering running into millions of naira and tax fraud.

“He will be released when he has satisfactorily responded to all questions relating to his involvement in various illegal deals. As part of investigation, his travel document has been temporarily seized pending the conclusion of investigations.”

The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed that the suspect is still in custody, however, said he has no information on the seizure of his passport.

Meanwhile, the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC has arrested 20 suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation on Tuesday at three different locations in Calabar, Cross River State. While some were arrested at Parliamentary Extension, others were arrested at Ikot Ene Obong 8 miles and Ekorimim Housing Extension.

The suspects include Sylvester Lucky, a 30-year- old car dealer from Yala LGA of Cross River State, Samuel Uwanikone, a 20-year- old, from Sapele in Delta State, Samuel Olofu, a 21-year- old, from Benue State, Christopher Apuya, a 20-year- old from Obudu LGA of Cross River State, Esiso Mathew, a 22-year- old, from Sapele in Delta State, Eyare Ernest, a 20-year- old from Boki LGA of Cross River State, Pedro Nsokedinam, a 25-year- old from Ukanafun LGA of Akwa Ibom State, Chimemma Mathew, a 21-year- old fashion designer from Awka Ibom in Anambra State, Chukwudubem Chukwunewubze, a 21-year- old, from Nnewi LGA of Anambra State and Chima Okeukwu, a 20-year- old, from Oru west LGA in Imo State.

At the time of their arrest, two Mercedes Benz C300, a Lexus 300 Saloon car, a Toyota Corolla, two Toyota Camry cars, over 10 laptops, several mobile phones and wrist watches were recovered from them.

A statement by the EFCC spokesman said the suspects would be charged to court after investigation. However, on Obi Cubana case, efforts to reach EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, however, proved abortive as of press time.

Obi Cubana became a social media sensation and the rave of the moment in July 2021 after the naira rain at the burial of his mother in Oba, a town in the Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Several videos went viral that show celebrities, business people and politicians spray money indiscriminately during a concert held after the burial of Obi Cubana deceased mother. Scores of cows were also slaughtered at the event.

Since Monday, he has been interrogated by officials of the EFCC over alleged money laundering and tax fraud. The Anambra-born club owner got into the spotlight in July 2021 when he hosted a befitting burial for his late mother in Oba, Anambra State. It was gathered that over 200 cows were killed. The lavish display of wealth set tongues wagging with many Nigerians wondering about his source of wealth.

Full name Obinna Iyiegbu AKA Obi Cubana, he was born on 12th April 1975 and currently 46 years old. He is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cubana Group. Popular among his businesses are the Cubana night club and Cubana luxurious hotels.

The political science graduate from the University of Nsukka made his first million during his National Youth Service Corps days with his Place of Primary Assignment at the National Assembly in Abuja. In Abuja, he was introduced to real estate business where he met a client who wanted to furnish a house. After furnishing the house for the client, Obi Cubana was gifted N500,000 as he also made over N600,000 in profit for the job. According to him, that was the first N1.1 million he made before he joined contract work in Abuja.

His sojourn into the business world began in 2006 when he established his first night club, Ibiza in Abuja. Later on, he built another club, Cubana, in Owerri, Imo State. From there his business empire grew.

In October, he clinched the award for the Man of the Year, defeating the likes of defeated Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Chairman, UBA Group, Mr Tony Elumelu, and Chairman and founder of BUA Group, Mr Abdul Rabiu. The businessman was voted by Nigerians at home and in the diaspora via online platforms in a 14-day Leadership Excellence Awards. The Cubana Group boss emerged winner with 2,667,845 votes, while Makinde had 1,015,224, Elumelu had 848,652 and Rabiu had 819,562 votes respectively.

Obi Cubana, in several interviews, has always hinted that he is a religious person as he tags himself, God’s favorite son. In 2008 he got married to Ebele Iyiegbu, who is a lawyer. Their union is blessed with four sons. Obi Cubana has been described as the most influential socialite from the south east region of Nigeria.