A Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned the case against celebrity bartender, Pascal Okechukwu otherwise called Cubana Chief Priest for alleged naira abuse to June 25, 2024.
Okechukwu was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 17, 2024, on a three-count charge of allegedly spraying and tampering with the Naira notes during a social function at Eko Hotel, Lagos.
Cubana Chief Priest has since pleaded not guilty and was granted a N10 million bail.
At the previous adjourned hearing on May 2, the defence counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), informed the court that the parties were exploring a settlement and had applied for the matter to be settled according to the provisions of section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.
In light of this, the defence counsel then applied for a withdrawal of the preliminary objection, which was granted by the court since there was no objection from the prosecution. Consequently, the court adjourned the case until June 5 for a report on the settlement.
However, on Wednesday, it was reported that the defence had written a letter seeking an adjournment of the case.
The case is now scheduled for June 25 for mention.
According to the charge, the defendant is accused of tampering with funds in the denomination of N500 while dancing at a social event at Eko Hotel. This act is said to contravene the provisions of section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act of 2007.