Obi Cubana
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC today arraigned a Lagos based socialite, Pascal Okechukwu popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court, Lagos on three counts charge bordering on tampering, spraying and abusing the Naira note.
Pascal Okechukwu is facing three counts charge bordering on tampering, spraying and abusing the Naira note preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
When the matter came up for trial today,
EFCC’s counsel, Bilikisu Buhari told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on February 13, 2024, by spraying the Naira note at the Eko Hotel, while dancing during a social event.
Buhari also told the court that Okechukwu while dancing during the social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, by spraying same for two hours.
According to the Anti- graft agency the offence committed is contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
However, after listening to the charge, Pascal Okechukwu pleaded not guilty to same.
Following his not guilty plea, his counsel, Mr Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), urged the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms.
Before the defendant’s arraignment Ojukwu had informed the court that he had a preliminary application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try the defendant.
He also told the court that the defence filed a 25 paragraphs bail application dated April 17, 2024, adding that that the bail application was based on eight grounds and asked the court to grant his client bail as the offence was a bailable offence.
He relied on section 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Ojukwu said,” If your lordship grants him bail and give 14 days, in my honour I will perfect his bail.
” He is sick, the EFCC brought him from the hospital this morning to court . He has palpitation of the heart, if you look at his weight.
” It is not in every case that remand is necessary. He has over 1000 employees who are hungry even at this moment they are praying for my lord to grant him bail on liberal terms.”
However, the prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari did not oppose the bail application.
After listening to Ojukwu, SAN, Justice Ogundare granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N10m, with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Ogundare held that the two sureties must be gainfully employed in a reputable organisation.
The judge further ruled that the two sureties must be civil servants of either the Federal or the state government and must be on level 16.
He said,” One of the sureties must have landed property within the Court’s jurisdiction with title documents.
Part of the bail conditions is that the defendant must submit his international passport to the Court Registrar while the bail conditions must be perfected within seven days.
The judge added that if the bail conditions are not met within seven days the defendant should be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.”
Meanwhile, Justice Ogundare has adjourned the case till May 2, 2024, for hearing of the preliminary objection. Challenging the jurisdiction to hear the case .
