COURT ADJOURNS CUBANA CHIEF PRIEST'S NAIRA ABUSE HEARING TILL JUNE 25

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A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, 5 June, further postponed the case against celebrity barman Pascal Okechukwu, also known as a Cubana Chief Priest, on allegations of Naira abuse till June 25 for mention.

On April 17, Paschal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, a well-known figure in the nightlife industry and on social media, was charged with three counts of Naira abuse. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the charges against him, to which he entered a not guilty plea.

After entering a not guilty plea, he was given N10 million in bail along with two sureties in the same amount.

The defence counsel, Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), told the court during the most recent postponement on May 2 that the parties were in the process of settling the case and that they had requested that it be done so in accordance with Section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.

After that, the defence attorney requested that the preliminary objection be withdrawn, and the court allowed it because the prosecution had not objected.

As a result, the court postponed the case until June 5 in order to receive a settlement report.

On Wednesday, however, reporters learned that the defence had sent a letter requesting a postponement of the trial.

The case will now be mentioned on June 25.

He was charged with three counts of abusing naira and violating the Central Bank Act of 2007 by spraying and tampering with the country’s currency during a social gathering before Justice Kehinde Ogundare.

According to reports, the socialite sprayed the naira at the Eko Hotel on February 13, 2024.

It was also said that the Cuban Chief Priest had committed the charges while dancing at a social gathering.

As per the allegation, the offence is in violation of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act of 2007.