Naira abuse: Court adjourns Cubana Chief Priest hearing to June 25

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday, June 5, adjourned until June 25 for mention, in the case against celebrity bartender, Pascal Okechukwu aka Cubana Chief Priest over alleged abuse of the Naira.

The nightlife business and social media celebrity was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 17 and had pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge bordering on Naira abuse filed against him by the EFCC.

He was granted bail with the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

At the last adjourned date on May 2, the defence counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) informed the court that parties were exploring settlement and had applied that the matter be settled pursuant to the provisions of section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.

The defence counsel thereafter applied for a withdrawal of the preliminary objection and since there was no objection from the prosecution, the court granted the same.

The court consequently adjourned the case until June 5, for a report of settlement.

However, on Wednesday, it was gathered by newsmen that the defence had written a letter seeking an adjournment of the case.

The case has now been fixed for June 25 for mention.

He was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on three counts bordering on abuse of naira, spraying and tampering with the nation’s currency at a social event contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.

The socialite was alleged to have sprayed the naira on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel.

Cubana Chief Priest was said to have also committed the offences while dancing during a social event.

The offence, according to the charge, contravenes the provisions of section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act of 2007.