Justice Kolawole Ogundare of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had granted a businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, N10 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
The judge released him to his lawyer pending perfection of bail terms.
The judge granted him bail following his plea of not guilty to the charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The commission arraigned Okechukwu with three counts charge bordering on alleged tampering and abusing the Naira at a social event on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel in Lagos.
His offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
At the resumed proceeding , prosecution counsel, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari informed the court that the commission filed an information dated April 4, 2024, prayed the court to allow the defendant to take his plea.
She responded that the application challenging jurisdiction is premature as the plea of the defendant has not been taken.
Earlier, defendant counsel, Mr Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) told the court that he has filed two applications before the court, the first is a preliminary objection, challenging the courts jurisdiction as well as a bail application. He added the that the prosecution is not opposing the bail application.
Ojukwu prayed the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms. He cited some sections of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), told the court that the defence has served the two application on the prosecution.
He urged the court to allow him argue his application challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the suit. He cited section 396 of ACJA, argued that the offence for which his client was charged is a misdemeanor which carried 6 months imprisonment or N50,000 fine or both.
He urged the court to exercise discretion in favour of the defendant, noted that the defendant has over 1,000 employees who are dependent on his small business. ”The defendant is not well. He has palpitation of the heart.”
He also prayed the court to release the defendant to him, added that he has not flouted the administrative bail given to him by the commission. “I would take him on my honour and perfect bail conditions in 14 days my lord.
After listen to his submission, Justice Ogundare admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.
The judge ordered that the sureties must be a civil servant not below grade level 16 in Federal or Lagos State Government service.
The judge further ordered that the two must be gainfully employed and have property within the jurisdiction of the court and that the title documents of the properties must be verify by the deputy registrar of the court.
He therefore hand over the defendant to his lawyer, ordered that the bail conditions must be fulfilled within seven days. He said failure of which the bail will be revoked
Justice Ogundare subsequently adjourned trial to May 2, 2024 and for the hearing of pending applications bordering on jurisdiction.
EFCC had alleged that “Okechukwu Pascal on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
The three-count charge against Okechukwu was filed on April 4 by Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), and seven other lawyers representing the chairman of the EFCC.
It further alleged that “Okechukwu Pascal on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
“That you, Okechukwu Pascal, sometime in 2020, in Lagos 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 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”
“That you, Okechukwu Pasca,l sometime in January 2024, in Lagos 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 and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”
