Naira Abuse: Cubana Chief Priest moves to settle out-of-court with EFCC
Instagram Celebrity and businessman, Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest is exploring an out-of-court settlement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with respect to the charge of abuse of Naira made against him at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
His lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chikaosolu Ojukwu disclosed this to trial judge, Justice Kehinde Ogundare at the proceedings on Thursday (Today).
The defence counsel also told the court that parties have applied that the matter be settled pursuant to the provisions of section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.
Chikaosolu said that if the EFCC confirms the position as true, then there will be a need to apply for a withdrawal of the defence’s preliminary objection to allow for a reconciliation.
The EFCC prosecutor, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari confirmed the position as stated by the defence counsel and told the court that the Commission was still considering the application.
Following this confirmation, the defence counsel then applied for a withdrawal of the preliminary objection and with no objections from the prosecution. the court granted same.
Justice Ogundare consequently, adjourned the case until June 5, for a report of settlement
On April 17, the EFCC had arraigned Cubana Chief Priest before the court on a 3-counts charge of allegedly spraying and tampering with Naira notes during a social event at Eko hotel in Lagos.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N10m with two responsible sureties in like sum each.
The court said the sureties must be gainfully employed with the Federal or State Govt and must not be less than grade level 16 officers.
The sureties are also to have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and the documents of the property must be verified by the prosecution and the court.
He is also to submit his international passport to the custody of the court.
The bail conditions must be perfected within 7 days but in the meantime he was released to his lawyer who must give an undertaken to produce him in court for his trial. Failure to do so, he will be remanded in correctional facility.
Meanwhile, the defendant has also informed the court of his pending application to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to hear the charge.
Justice Ogundare has adjourned till today, May 2nd to hear the preliminary objection and for trial.
