Cubana allegedly received questionable payments from three convicted drug dealers from Malaysia, Nigeria and India
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Since he buried his mother in July last year with about 400 cows, socialite, Obi Iyiegbu has become a person of interest.
In November last year, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested the nightclub entrepreneur over alleged involvement in a case of money laundering. He was released a few days after the arrest.
Yesterday, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency headed by the result-oriented Buba Marwa, grilled Obi Cubana for his alleged link to illegal narcotic business,
A report by the Punch says Obi Cubana was grilled for about five hours at the Abuja headquarters of the NDLEA before he was granted bail and asked to return at a future date.
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According to the newspaper, sources told its correspondent that suspicious payments were made into Cubana’s account by three convicted drug dealers from Malaysia, Nigeria and India.
“Obi Cubana arrived at the NDLEA office around 9 am and responded to questions for some hours before he was granted bail at 2 pm. There are suspicions that he may be a drug kingpin. Some convicted drug dealers paid funds into his account.
“We have been able to establish three of such payments. One of the persons that paid money into his account was convicted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; another one that was convicted in New Delhi, India; also paid money into his account while a third person was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and convicted in 2017, also paid money into Cubana’s account,” according to Punch source.
The socialite was allowed to go home in order to get some documents that would be presented to the NDLEA.
Until the lavish burial of his mother where over 400 cows were slaughtered, Obi Cubana was not in the spotlight.
The funeral of his mother attracted several entertainers and renowned politicians from across the country including embattled Nigerian super cop, Abba Kyari, Davido, D’banj, Kcee, Poco Lee, Ubi Franklin, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Alex Ekubo, Williams Uchemba and many other celebrities.
Punch says during the funeral ceremony, Cubana’s associates sprayed him with bundles of new naira notes. In one of the videos that went viral, two guests were seen having a playful cash fight as they threw wads of money at each other, while other guests laughed. In another viral video, wads of N50, 000 are thrown at Cubana while he juggles them like a football.
TheNiche had reported that after Obi Cubana announced that he received almost 300 cows from friends and well-wishers to bury his mum, Nigerians started debating the source of his wealth.
The 46-year-old nightlife entrepreneur who is worth $96 million according to some estimates found on the internet, buried his mum on July 17, in his village in Anambra State.
His Night Club has severally been raided by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over the allegation of being a den for internet fraudsters and drug barons who spend their lucre there.
At the time, the debate over the source of his wealth was started by a social media influencer known with his Twitter handle name, Onye Nkuzi, who asked: “What does this ‘Obi Cubana’ fellow do for a living?”
Onye Nkuzi’s question elicited almost 300 comments with varied responses.
@Arthur1mill responded, by listing a number of businesses he said belongs to Obi Cubana.
“Rolex Hotels – Lagos
Cubana Leisure Outfits
Pablo Cubana – Lagos
Crave Cubana – Abuja
Grand Cubana Hotels – Abuja
Opium Cubana – Owerri
Cubana Night Clubs – Lagos
Gustavo Cubana- Enugu
Ibizza club
Casa cubana (Estate). But I no sabi the source of the money,” he said.