THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and celebrity barman, Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, have opted for an out-of-court in the case of Naira abuse brought against the latter by the former.
This was disclosed at the resumed trial of Okechukwu on Thursday, May 2 before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on a three-count charge bordering on abusing of the Naira at different times, events and places in Lagos State, in violation of the Central Bank Act, 2007.
Specifically, the EFCC alleged that the defendant committed the offence on February 13, this year, by spraying Naira notes at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos while dancing during a social event, as well as tampered with N500 notes denomination issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying the same for two hours while dancing during a social event.
These, the Commission stated, is contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N10milion and two sureties in like sum.
Okechukwu was given seven days to perfect the bail conditions, failure of which he would be remanded at the Nigeria Correctional Service centre (prison).
The case was then adjourned until May 2 for hearing of the preliminary objection and trial.
But when the case was called on Thursday, the defendant’s Counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) informed the court that the two parties were exploring settlement and had applied that the matter be settled under the provisions of Section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.
EFCC’s prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari, confirmed that the parties were discussing a settlement and the application was still being considered.
Recall that celebrity cross-dresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, was sentenced to six months imprisonment without an option of fine last month for the same offence after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
