A Federal High Court in Lagos has scheduled June 5 for the report of settlement in the case against celebrity bartender, Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, concerning alleged abuse of the naira.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Okechukwu on April 17 with three counts of purportedly spraying and tampering with naira notes during a social event at Eko Hotel in Lagos.
He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N10 million. Justice Kehinde Ogundare then adjourned the case until May 2 for the hearing of the preliminary objection and trial.
During the recent court session, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari appeared for the prosecution, while Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) represented the defendant.
The defence counsel informed the court that both parties were exploring a settlement and requested that the matter be settled pursuant to the provisions of Section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.
He indicated that if the prosecution confirmed the position, there would be a need to apply for withdrawal of the defence’s preliminary objection to allow for reconciliation.
In response, the prosecutor confirmed the position and informed the court that the application was under consideration.
Consequently, the defence counsel applied for withdrawal of the preliminary objection, as there was no objection from the prosecution, and the court granted the request.
The court then adjourned the case until June 5 for the report of settlement. In the charge, the defendant was accused of tampering with funds in the denomination of N500 while dancing at the social event in Eko Hotels and Suites.
The offence contravenes the provisions of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that on April 5, the EFCC secured the conviction of popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, on similar charges, resulting in a six-month imprisonment sentence.
