A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday, June 25th, struck out the naira abuse charge against celebrity barman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The trial judge, Justice Kehinde Ogundare, threw out the charge following the adoption of terms of settlement between parties to the suit.
Recall that the EFCC arraigned Okechukwu on April 17, 2024, on a three-count charge bordering on naira abuse.
The accused was said to have been seen allegedly spraying and tampering with the naira notes during a social event at the Eko Hotel in Lagos.
Okechukwu pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N10 million.
At the next adjourned date, which was May 2, 2024, defence counsel, Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), informed the court that the parties were exploring the option of settlement and had applied that the matter be settled pursuant to the provisions of Section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.
The defence counsel therefore applied for a withdrawal of a preliminary objection filed by the defence, and since there was no objection from the prosecution, the court granted the same.
Consequently, the court adjourned the case until June 5, 2024, for the report on settlement. However, the defence counsel was absent and had written to the court, praying for an adjournment. The matter was then adjourned to June 25th.
Upon appearance today, the parties informed the court that terms for settlement had been reached and thanked the court for its indulgence.
On this note, defence counsel Chikaosolu Ojukwu then urged the court to dismiss the case.
In a short ruling, Justice Ogundare held that “Upon the agreement of the prosecution and defence pursuant to the EFCC Establishment Act, the agreement having been presented to the court, this charge is hereby struck out as the defendant is hereby cautioned,” he said.
Meanwhile, a copy of the settlement terms, which newsmen obtained, was provided as follows: “The agreement applies only to the findings relating to the contravention of the law contained in the pending charge preferred against the defendant.
“The defendant shall enter into a bond with the EFCC to be of good behaviour and never indulge in any economic or financial crime or related offence.
“The defendant shall engage in rigorous and intensive sensitization and/or campaign against the abuse of coins and notes issued under the CBN Act as legal tender.
“The defendant shall bi-monthly post on his various social media handles a minimum of two video clips of his sensitization or campaign against abuse of naira and sundry offences.
“The defendant shall pay to the consolidated revenue fund of the Federation such sum not below the sum of N10m only upon the execution of this agreement.”
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