In a recent development at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the charge against Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, has been struck out following the adoption of settlement terms between the parties involved. Here are the key details:
– **Background**: Pascal Okechukwu was initially charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly abusing the naira notes during a social event at Eko Hotel in Lagos. The charges included spraying and tampering with naira notes, which contravened the provisions of section 21(1) of the CBN Act of 2007.
– **Legal Proceedings**: Okechukwu pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the amount of ₦10 million. The case proceeded with discussions of settlement terms under section 14(2) of the EFCC Act, aiming for a resolution outside of a full trial.
– **Settlement Terms**: On June 25, 2024, the court struck out the charges after both the defence and prosecution adopted terms of settlement. These terms included:
– Okechukwu entering into a bond with the EFCC to uphold good behavior and avoid economic and financial crimes.
– Engagement in sensitization campaigns against the abuse of naira and other related offenses, including regular posts on social media.
– Payment of a sum not less than ₦10 million to the consolidated revenue fund of the Federation.
– **Court’s Decision**: Justice Kehinde Ogundare dismissed the case upon agreement between the prosecution and defence, acknowledging the terms of settlement presented to the court.
This resolution marks the conclusion of the legal proceedings against Cubana Chief Priest, highlighting the effectiveness of settlement negotiations in resolving legal disputes.
