*Counsel Says Defendant Suffers From Palpitation
*EFCC Lacks Power To Prosecute Naira Abusers– Odinkalu
*Actor Accuses EFCC Of “Scapegoating” Celebrities
THE Federal High Court in Lagos has granted businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, N10million bail, with two sureties in like sum.
The celebrity barman had earlier pleaded not guilty to tampering and abusing the Naira during his trial.
He was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count charge of allegedly spraying and tampering with the Naira notes during a social event at Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.
When the case was called on Wednesday, April 17, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari appeared for the prosecution, while Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) announced appearance for the defendant.
The defence Counsel then first informed the court of a preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction, as well as a bail application filed on behalf of the defendant, which he said the prosecution was not opposed to.
After the charges were read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
In moving the bail application, Ojukwu urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms, saying the defendant was admitted by the prosecution following his health condition and that due to his weight, he suffers palpitation.
Besides, Ojukwu told the court that the offence for which the defendant is charged is a misdemeanor and the prescribed punishment is a fine of N50,000 or an imprisonment term of six months.
He urged the court to grant his client bail on very liberal terms, as he is a first offender with no past criminal records.
He also informed the court that the defendant is an employer of labour with over 1000 employees on his payroll, who are dependent on their jobs.
Ojukwu told the court that the defendant is an employer of labour with over 1,000 employees on his payroll, who are dependent on their jobs, and consequently urged the court to grant his application, as moved.
In response, Justice Ogundare granted the defendant bail in the sum of 10million, with two sureties in like sum, who must be civil servants of Level 16, one of who must be owner of a landed property within jurisdiction.
The court also ordered the defendant to submit his international passport to the court’s Registry, and that the bail condition be perfected within seven days.
Justice Ogundare ordered the defence Counsel to produce the defendant for perfection of his bail conditions within stipulated time, otherwise, the defendant would be sent to the custody of Nigerian Correctional service.
The subsequently adjourned the case until May 2 for hearing of the preliminary objection.
In the charge, the defendant was said to have tampered with Naira notes in the denomination of N500 while dancing at the social event in Eko Hotel and Suites, an offence that contravenes the provisions of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
Recall that the EFCC had on April 5 secured the conviction of popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, on similar charges, for which he was sentenced to six-month imprisonment.
Cubana Chief Priest, in has reaction after being granted bail, wrote on Instagram: “Seeing All You Messages & Love, I’m So Humbled. Now, It’s Confirmed CP No Small. Money, Na Water.”
Meanwhile, a former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has said that the EFCC does not have the powers to prosecute Naira abusers, criticising the anti-graft agency for arresting Bobrisky, and now Cubana.
Odinkalu insisted that spraying of the Naira notes does not fall within the Commission’s prosecutorial purview.
He stated: “The law that establishes the EFCC defines ‘economic and financial crimes’ to mean ‘non-violent criminal and illicit activity committed with the objectives of earning wealth illegally either individually or in a group or organised manner, thereby violating existing legislation governing the economic activities of government and its administration.”
Also, Nollywood actor, Seun Jimoh, accused the Commission of “scapegoating” celebrities in its ongoing clampdown on Naira abusers.
In an Instagram post, while reacting to the news of EFCC’s arraignment of Cubana for Naira abuse, said it was unfair that certain people were being selected for a crime almost 70 per cent of Nigerians or more are guilty of, with overwhelming video evidence all over the Internet.
“Scapegoat approach to cultural reforms is quite sinister and lacks any concern for the mental health of the Nigerian citizens.
“It looks like scapegoats are being selected to send a message to the general populace. But then, is it not unfair that certain people are being selected for a crime almost 70 per cent of Nigerians or more are guilty of, with overwhelming video evidence all over the internet?
“Why hasn’t anyone ever caught on video spraying money between the time the law has been in effect till now being arrested? Why celebrities?
“Celebrities are citizens too! This scapegoat approach to cultural reforms is quite sinister and lacks any concern for the mental health of the Nigerian citizens.”
