The Federal High Court in Lagos Wednesday granted bail in the sum of N10million to a celebrity bartender, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, following his ‘not guilty’ plea to a Naira abuse charge.
Justice Kehinde Ogundare made the order after an application by Cubana Chief Priest’s lawyer, Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The ruling followed the defendant’s arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count charge of spraying and tampering with Naira notes at a social event contrary to the Central Bank Act of 2007.
The three-count charge was filed on April 4 by Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), and seven other lawyers representing the chairman of the EFCC.
It 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.
“That you, Okechukwu Pascal, 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.”
“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.”
When the charge was read to him, Cubana Chief Priest pleaded not guilty to each count.
His counsel informed the court that he had filed a bail application on behalf of the defendant, urging the court to admit him to bail on very liberal terms.
Ojukwu said: “We graciously urge the court to grant the defendant bail and before the perfection of the conditions I want to humbly beg the court to hand him over to me as a member of the Inner Bar.
“The defendant is very sick. He even came from the EFCC’s clinic this morning. Only the living can stand trial.”
Granting his prayer, Justice Ogundare admitted Cubana Chief Priest to bail on terms, including a N10 million bail bond, a surety on grade level 16 in the civil service and he or she must be a landowner.
The court also handed Cubana Chief Priest to his lawyer for 14 days pending the perfection of the bail conditions, failing which the defendant would be remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional Services Centre.
Defendant’s counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu SAN
had earlier introduced a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the from entertaining the matter.
Justice Ogundare adjourned to 2nd of May for the motion changing the jurisdiction of the court.
