A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed June 5, 2024, for a report of settlement in a case against popular businessman socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, fondly called Cubana Chief Priest, over alleged naira abuse.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had, on April 17, arraigned Cubana Chief Priest on three counts of allegedly spraying and tampering with naira notes during a social event at Eko Hotel in Lagos.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N10 million.

The presiding judge, Justice Kehinde Ogundare, then adjourned the case until May 2 for hearing of the preliminary objection and trial.

When the case was called on Thursday, Bilikisu Buhari appeared for the prosecution, while Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) announced appearance for the defendant.

The defence counsel informed the court that the parties were exploring a settlement and had applied that the matter be settled pursuant to the provisions of Section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.

Naira abuse: Court grants Cubana Chief Priest N10m bail

Ojukwu told the court that if the prosecution confirmed the position as true, there would be a need to apply for a withdrawal of the defence’s preliminary objection and allow reconciliation.

In response, the prosecutor confirmed the position as stated by the defence counsel and told the court that the application was still being considered.

Following the position, the defence counsel applied for a withdrawal of the preliminary objection since there was no objection from the prosecution and the court granted the same.

The judge, therefore, adjourned the case until June 5 for the report of settlement.

In the charge, Cubana Chief Priest was said to have tampered with the funds in the denomination of N500 while dancing at the social event in Eko Hotels and Suites.

The offence, according to EFCC, contravenes the provisions of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act of 2007.

The EFCC had, on April 5, secured the conviction of popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, well known as Bobrisky, on similar charges for which he was sentenced to six months imprisonment.

The Star