Naira abuse: Cubana Chief Priest seeks out of court settlement

• Court fixes June 5 for update

JUSTICE Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday, fixed June 5, for a report of settlement in the Naira abuse case filed against celebrity bartender, Pascal Okechukwu popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC).

The judge fixed the date following submission of the defence counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu ( SAN) that parties are exploring settlement and have applied that the matter be settled pursuant to the provisions of section 14( 2) of the EFCC Act.

The trial judge had on April 17, fixed yesterday, May 2, for hearing of the preliminary objection and trial in the case. The defendant was arraigned on a three- count charge bordering on allegation of spraying and tampering with the Naira notes during a social event at Eko hotel in Lagos.

The anti- graft agency had alleged that the defendant tampered with the funds in the denomination of N500, while dancing at the social event in Eko hotel.

The offence, it said, contravened the provisions of section 21( 1) of the Central Bank Act of 2007.

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

However, after Mrs Bilikisu Buhari appeared for the prosecution and Ojukwu ( SAN) announced appearance for the defendant at resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the defence counsel told the court that they are exploring settlement with the prosecution. According to him, if the prosecution confirmed that position to be true, then there would be a need to apply for a withdrawal of the defence’s preliminar y objection and allow for a reconciliation.

Responding, the prosecutor confirmed the position as stated by the defendant’s counsel, stressing that the application is still being considered.