The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and celebrity barman, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, have agreed to settle the Naira abuse charge slammed against the socialite out of court.
This was disclosed at the resumption of proceedings before a Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday.
Counsel to Okechukwu Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, announced this to trial judge, Justice Kehinde Ogundare at the proceedings on Thursday May 2nd.The defence counsel also told the court that parties have applied that the matter be settled pursuant to the provisions of section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.
Chikaosolu said that if the anti-graft agency confirms the position as true, then there will be a need to apply for a withdrawal of the defense’s preliminary objection to allow for a reconciliation.
The EFCC prosecutor, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, confirmed the position as stated by the defence counsel and told the court that the Commission was still considering the application.
Meanwhile, following this confirmation, the defence counsel then applied for a withdrawal of the preliminary objection and with no objections from the prosecution and the court granted same.
Justice Ogundare subsequently adjourned the case until June 5, for a report of settlement.
On April 17, the EFCC arraigned Cubana Chief Priest before the court on a three counts of allegedly spraying and tampering with Naira notes during a social event at the Eko hotel in Lagos.