The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ,on Wednesday, arraigned a businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, a.k.a Cubana Chief Priest, on a three-count charge of alleged Naira abuse before Justice Kehinde Ogundare sitting at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Count one reads: That you, Okechukwu Pascal, on 13th February, 2024, at Eko Hotel Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while dancing during a social event , tampered with funds in the denomination of N500(Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”
Count two reads: “ That you, Okechukwu Pascal, sometime in 2020, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, 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 Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”
When the matter came up on Wednesday, lawyer to Cubana, Chikaozolu Ojukwu (SAN), notified the court of two applications: a preliminary objection and a summons for bail.
He, however, prayed that his client should be allowed to take his plea while the two applications be taken when they are ripe.
When the charge was read to Cubana, he pleaded “not guilty” to the offence.
In view of his plea, the prosecuting EFCC lawyer, Bilkisu Buhari, asked the court for a trial date.
Responding, Ojukwu informed the court of his client’s application for bail.
He said: “My Lord , we have an application dated and filed 17th April, 2024 for an order admitting the defendant to bail in liberal terms.
The order is predicated on eight grounds, 25 paragraph affidavit and a written address. We rely on the affidavit that the defendant has been on an administrative bail and has not breached the condition of the bail”.
Continuing, Ojukwu said, “The offence of which he is being charged is a misdemeanour for which the punishment is an option of fine or a sentence of not more than six months. I urge the court to exercise your kind discretion in favour of the defendant. I also urge my noble lord to give us 14 days to enable him perfect the bail condition, in the event that bail is granted.”
Ojukwu further told the court that the bail application was based on eight grounds and asked the court to grant his client bail since the offence was bailable.
Citing Section 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, Ojukwu said, “If Your Lordship grants him bail and gives 14 days, in my honour, I will perfect his bail.
“He is sick and the EFCC brought him from the hospital this morning. He has heart palpitations if you look at his weight. It is not in every case that remand is necessary. He has over 1,000 employees who are hungry; even at this moment, they are praying for My Lord to grant him bail in liberal terms.”
But the EFCC’s lawyer, Bilikisu Buhari, did not oppose the bail application.
In his ruling, the judge granted the prayer and gave him seven days to perfect the bail conditions or he would be sent to prison.
The judge said, “One of the sureties must have landed property within the court’s jurisdiction with title documents. The defendant must submit his passport to the court registrar.
Justice Ogundare consequently granted Cubana bail in the sum of N10million with two sureties in the like sum.
The .judge added that the sureties must be gainfully employed within the Federal or State Government Parastatal and must not be less than Grade Level 16 officers, saying that they must possess landed properties and the documents verified by the prosecution.
The Judge also ordered Cubana to submit his passport with the court and all addresses verified by the prosecution, saying that the bail condition must be perfected within seven days upon an undertaking by the defence lawyer to produce him for trial.
The case has been adjourned till May 2 for further hearing
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