The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and celebrity barman Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, have agreed to settle the naira abuse charge outside of court.
This agreement was revealed during the court session on Thursday. Cubana Chief Priest, appearing before Justice Kehinde Ogundare, is facing three counts related to the abuse of the national currency at a social event, which contravenes the Central Bank Act of 2007.
During a social event held at the Eko Hotel in Lagos, he is accused of spraying and tampering with naira notes. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the amount of N10 million.
Justice Ogundare instructed Okechukwu to fulfill the bail conditions within seven days. Failure to do so would result in his remand at the Nigeria Correctional Service.
The judge then scheduled the case for a hearing of the preliminary objection and trial on May 2, 2024.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Cubana Chief Priest’s counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), informed the court about the parties’ exploration of a settlement and their application for settling the matter under the provisions of Section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.
The prosecution counsel for EFCC, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, confirmed the ongoing discussions for a settlement and stated that the application was still under consideration.
During the arraignment, EFCC informed the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence on February 13, 2024, by spraying Naira at the Eko Hotel during a social event.
Additionally, Cubana Chief Priest was accused of tampering with funds in the denomination of N500 notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying them for two hours while dancing at the event.
The anti-graft agency stated that the offence committed is contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
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