Alleged Naira Abuse: Lawyer’s Absence Stalls Trial Off Cubana Chief Priest

As a result of the absence of a lawyer for the defence, the trial of a Lagos-based socialite and Celebrity barman, Okechukwu Pascal, popularly called Cubana Chief Priest, before a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, was today stalled.

During the commencement of proceedings before the court presided over by Justice Kehinde Ogundare, it was made public that the counsel for Cubana, Mr Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, had written to the court concerning his inability to attend court.

This development prompted Justice Ogundare to adjourn the case until June 25, 2024, for trial to commence.

It would be recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had dragged Pascal before the court over his alleged involvement in Naira abuse.

At the last hearing on the case, Ojukwu, SAN, hinted to Justice Ogundare of the defendant’s intention to toe the path of plea bargain subject to Section 14 of the EFCC Establishment Act and opted for out-of-court settlement.

The SAN had stated: “We have looked at the charge and pursuant to Section 14 of the EFCC Act which encourages plea bargain agreements.

Even the lawyer for the EFCC, Bilkisu Buhari confirmed the position.

Consequently, Ojukwu, SAN, had prayed to Justice Ogundare for a short date to allow parties to return and update the court on the deal.

The SAN also withdrew the earlier preliminary objection he filed challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charge.

In his words: “In the interest of justice, we are urging the court to strike out the motion since the prosecution has not responded to it.”

In granting Ojukwu’s request, Justice Ogundare struck out the preliminary objection. The judge had also adjourned until June 5, 2024, for a report on the plea bargain agreement.

The anti-graft agency had on April 17, 2024, arraigned the embattled socialite on a three-count charge bordering on abuse of the Naira.

The commission particularly alleged that 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 (CBN) by spraying the 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, the anti-graft agency alleged that “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.”

Count 3 reads: “That you, Okuku Pascal 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.”