By Glam & Essence
Celebrity Bartender/ Businessman, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, who was charged for allegedly spraying and tampering with Naira notes during a social event at the Eko hotel in Lagos, is seeking an out-of-court settlement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over the 3-counts charge levelled against him by the anti-graft agency at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
According to his lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu(SAN), while addressing the trial judge, Justice Kehinde Ogundare at the proceedings on Thursday, he said he is exploring an out of court settlement for his client with the agency.
He also told the court that parties have applied that the matter be settled pursuant to the provisions of section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.
Chikaosolu said that if the EFCC confirms the position as true, then there will be a need to apply for a withdrawal of the defence’s preliminary objection to allow for a reconciliation.
The EFCC prosecutor, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, confirmed the position as stated by the defence counsel and told the court that the Commission was still considering the application.
As a result of this confirmation, the defence counsel then applied for a withdrawal of the preliminary objection and with no objections from the prosecution and the court granted same.
Justice Ogundare subsequently adjourned the case until June 5, for a report of settlement.
Cubana had pleaded not guilty to the charge made against him during the first hearing in April and was granted bail in the sum of N10m with two responsible sureties in like sum each.
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