Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, today, adjourned the trial of Pascal Okechukwu, fondly known as Cubana Chief Priest, to June 25, 2024.
Okechukwu is facing three counts of alleged abuse of naira notes.
Recall that on April 17, 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Okechukwu for allegedly spraying and tampering with naira notes during a social event at Eko Hotel in Lagos, an act which contravened Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
Okechukwu pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted a bail set at N10m.
Recall that, at the previous hearing on May 2, Okechukwu’s defence counsel, Mr Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), told the court that both parties were exploring a settlement under Section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.
Ojukwu stressed the potential for a plea bargain agreement, which the EFCC counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, confirmed.
Ojukwu then requested a short adjournment for the parties to report back on the settlement progress.
He also withdrew a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction, a motion which the court subsequently struck out.
The case was adjourned to June 5, 2024, for a settlement report.
However, when the case came up today, Justice Kehinde Ogundare was informed that Okechukwu’s counsel, Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu, was unable to attend and had requested another adjournment.
Based on that, the case was rescheduled to June 25, 2024, for mention.