On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Lagos dismissed a case involving alleged naira abuse against well-known bartender Pascal Okechukwu, also referred to as Cubana Chief Priest.
Once the parties to the litigation agreed on a settlement, Justice Kehinde Ogundare dismissed the accusation.
On April 17, Okechukwu was charged with three counts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly spray-bombing and tampering with Naira notes during a social event at the Eko Hotel in Lagos.
He was given N10 million in bail after entering a not guilty plea to the charge.
The court was notified by the defense attorney, Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), at the most recent postponed date of May 2.
Ojukwu noted that the parties were looking into the possibilities of a settlement and had requested that the matter be handled in line with section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.
After the position, he requested that the defense’s preliminary objection be withdrawn. The court accepted his request because the prosecution did not object.
As a result, the court postponed the case until June 5 in order to receive a settlement report.
Due to the defense attorney’s absence on June 5, the case could not proceed. The attorney had apparently written to the court pleading for an adjournment.
The case was postponed by the court until June 25 in order to get a settlement report.
On Tuesday, when the matter was called, Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) represented the defense and Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari represented the prosecution.
Bilikisu notified the court that the settlement conditions dated June 24 had been filed and accepted by the prosecution.
The defense attorney responded by saying he agreed with the prosecutor’s assertions and had made the same.
He added that some of the responsibilities outlined in the aforementioned provisions had been fulfilled and thanked the court for its forbearance.
He urged the court to make the consequential orders of dismissing the case.
In a short ruling, the court 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 terms of settlement which was obtained by newsmen in court provided as follows:
“The agreement applies only to the findings relating to 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 and Financial Crime or related offences.
“The defendant shall engage in rigorous and intensive sensitisation and/or campaign against the abuse of coins and notes issued under the Central Bank of Nigeria (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 sensitisation/campaign against abuse of Naira and sundry offences.
“The defendant shall pay to the consolidated revenue fund of Federation such sum not below the sum of N10 million only upon the execution af this agreement,” he said.
According to the indictment, the defendant danced at the social gathering at the Eko Hotel and tampered with N500 worth of cash.
The offense violates the terms of CBN Act of 2007 section 21(1).
