Naira Abuse: Cubana Chief Priest Pleads Not Guilty, Granted N10m Bail

•Challenges court’s jurisdiction

Wale Igbintade

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),yesterday, arraigned a socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly called Cubana Chief Priest, before a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged abuse of the Naira.

He was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on a three-count charge of allegedly spraying and tampering with the Naira notes during a social event at Eko hotel in Lagos.

When the case was called on EFCC Prosecutor, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari announced appearance for the Commission, while Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) announced appearance for the defendant.

The defence counsel then informed the court of a preliminary objection challenging the Court’s jurisdiction as well as a bail application filed on behalf of the defendant.

He informed the court that the prosecution was not opposed to same.

Addressing the court, EFCC’s prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on February 13, 2024, by spraying the Naira at Eko Hotel, while dancing during a social event.

Buhari also told the court that Cubana Chief Priest while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, by spraying the same for two hours.

According to the Anti- graft agency the offence committed is contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.

After the charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In moving the bail application of the defendant, counsel urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.

He told the court that the defendant was admitted in hospital by the prosecution following his health condition, adding that due to his weight, the defendant suffers palpitation (A sensation that the heart is racing, pounding, fluttering or skipping a beat).

He further told the court that the offence with which the defendant is charged is a misdemeanour and that the prescribed punishment ranges from a fine of N50,000 or an imprisonment term of six months.

He told the court that the defence filed a 25 paragraphs of bail application dated April 17, 2024.

Ojukwu told the court that the bail application was based on eight grounds and asked the court to grant his client bail as the offence was a bailable offence.

He relied on section 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Ojukwu said,” 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.”

Counsel also informed the court that the defendant is an employer of labour with over 1000 employees on his payroll, who are dependent on their jobs.

He urged the court to grant bail on very liberal terms to the defendant as he is a first offender with no past criminal records .

In response, the prosecutor said she would leave the issue of bail to the discretion of the court.

Ruling on the bail application, Justice Ogundare granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10m with two responsible sureties in like sum.

The judge said the two sureties must be civil servants of either the federal government or the state government and must be on level 16.

Besides, the sureties were to have landed property and the document must be verified by the prosecution and the court.

The court also directed Cubana to submit his International passport to the custody of the court.

The court stated that the bail conditions must be perfected within 7 days but in the meantime he was released to his lawyer who must give an undertaking to produce him. Failure to do so, he will be remanded in correctional facility.

The case has been adjourned till May 2, 2024, for hearing of the preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court.