On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Lagos, Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court dismissed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) accusation of naira abuse against well-known bartender Pascal Okechukwu, also referred to as Cubana Chief Priest.
In accordance with an out-of-court agreement the defendant made with the EFCC in exchange for the charge, the judge further ordered Okechukwu to forfeit the sum of N10 million to the Federal Government.
This was stated in the terms of the settlement agreement that was approved by Trial Judge Kehinde Ogundare on Tuesday, along with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During the hearing, EFCC counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala told the judge that the parties to the charge had reached an out-of-court settlement, which they had both duly signed.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chikaosolu Ojukwu, the defendant’s attorney, praised the anti-graft agency’s reasonable action in resolving the case. According to him, the defendant is also repentant and vows to start over in the future.
Ojukwu added that the settlement would result in the charge being dropped by the court.
Justice Ogundare in his short ruling adopted the terms of settlement and consequently struck out the charge.
The terms of settlement agreement pursuant to Section 14 (2) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004, read:
“The agreement applies only to the findings relating to contraventions of the law contained tn the pending charge preferred against the defendant.
“The defendant entered into a bond with the EFCC to be of good behaviour and never indulge in any Economic and Financial Crime or related offences.
“The Defendant shall engage in rigorous and intensive sensitisation and/or campaign against the abuse of coins and notes issued under the CBN Act as legal tender.
“The defendant shall bi-monthly post on his various social media handles a minimum of two video clips of his sensitisation/campaign against abuse of naira and sundry offences.
“On the execution of this agreement, the Defendant shall pay to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation an amount not less than Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000:00).”
