Alleged Naira Abuse: Cubana Chief Priest opts for out-of-court settlement

Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, on Thursday, indicated his intention to explore an out-of-court settlement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as it concerns the Naira abuse charge made against him by the anti-graft agency at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

This development was made known to the Justice Kehinde Ogundare-led court by the counsel for the businessman, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), who equally hinted to the court that parties have applied that the matter be settled pursuant to the provisions of Section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.

The SAN explained that if the EFCC confirms the position as true, then there would be a need to apply for a withdrawal of the defence’s preliminary objection to allow for reconciliation.

Confirming the development, the counsel for the EFCC, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, informed Justice Ogundare that the Commission was still considering the application.

As a result, the counsel for the defence made an application for the withdrawal of the preliminary objection and with no objections from the prosecution, the court granted the same.

The matter was thereafter adjourned until June 5, for a report of settlement.

It would be recalled that the Commission had on April 17, arraigned the Cubana Chief Priest on three counts of allegedly spraying and tampering with Naira notes during a social event at the Eko Hotel, 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.

According to the judge, the sureties must be gainfully employed with the Federal or State Government and must not be less than grade level 16 officers.

The sureties, the judge declared, must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and the documents of the property must be verified by the prosecution and the court.

Justice Ogundare had equally ordered the Cubana Chief Priest to submit his travel passport to the custody of the court, adding that the bail conditions must be perfected within seven days.

Meanwhile, Okechukwu was released to his lawyer who must give an undertaking to produce him in court for his trial, and that failure to do so, he would be remanded in the correctional facility.