By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Upon the absence of defence counsel from court for the continued trial of a celebrity bartender Pascal Okechukwu alias Cubana Chief priest over Naira abuse, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Wednesday, further adjourned the case until June 25 for mention.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Okechukwu on April 17, before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on a three-counts charge of allegedly spraying and tampering with the Naira notes during a social event at Eko hotel in Lagos.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N10 million.
At the last adjourned date on May 2, the defence counsel, Mr Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) had informed the court that parties
were exploring settlement through please bargain and had applied that the parties be allowed for the matter to be resolved pursuant to the provisions of Section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.
Ojukwu said, “We have looked at the charge and pursuant to Section 14 of the EFCC Act which encourages plea bargain agreements.
Also, EFCC counsel, Bilkisu Buhari confirmed the position.
Ojukwu then prayed the court to give a short date for parties to return and update the court on the settlement deal.
He also withdrew the earlier preliminary objection he filed challenging the jurisdiction of court to entertain the charge.
“In the interest of justice, we’re urging the court to strike out the motion since the prosecution has not responded to it,” he added.
Granting his prayer, Justice Ogundare struck out the preliminary objection.
Consequently, the court had adjourned the case until June 5, (today) for report of settlement.
On Wednesday when the matter was called, newsmen gathered that the defence had written a letter seeking an adjournment of the case.
The case has now been fixed for June 25 for mention.
In the charge, the defendant was said to have tampered with the funds in the denomination of N500, while dancing at the social event in Eko Hotels.
The offence contravenes the provisions of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
The EFCC alleged that Okechukwu Pascal on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
In count 2, it was alleged “that you, Okechukwu Pasca,l sometime in 2020, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”
In Count 3, it was alleged: “that you, Okechukwu Pasca,l sometime in January 2024, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.