Pascal Okechukwu, known in social circles as Cubana Chief Priest, faced a legal challenge on Wednesday when he was brought before a Federal High Court in Lagos, accused of misusing Nigerian currency at public events.
Despite his plea of innocence, the court granted him bail set at N10 million, along with the condition of presenting two sureties for the same amount.
Presiding over the case is Justice Ogundare, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) leading the prosecution against the Cubana Chief Priest.
The EFCC’s counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, charged that on February 13, 2024, Okechukwu flaunted N500 notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at Eko Hotel, Lagos, during a social gathering.
The prosecution claimed this act of spraying money continued for two hours, a behavior also observed at a 2020 event.
These actions, the EFCC contends, are in violation of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
In defense, Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, requested the court to consider a lenient bail, citing his client’s health concerns and the livelihoods of over a thousand employees dependent on him.
“If your lordship grants him bail and give 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 palpitation of the heart, if you look at his weight.
“It is not in every case that remand is necessary. He has over 1000, employees who are hungry even at this moment they are praying for my lord to grant him bail on liberal terms.”
The prosecution did not contest the bail plea, and Justice Ogundare set the bail terms. He said,
“One of the sureties must have landed property within the court’s jurisdiction with title documents.
”The defendant must submit his international passport to the court registrar.
”The bail must be perfected within seven days as taken by the SAN.
”Failure to perfect the bail conditions, the defendant would be remanded at the prison.”
The case is set to continue on May 2, 2024, when the court will hear the defense’s preliminary objections.
