Court adjourns hearing in Cubana Chief Priest Naira mutilation case for June 25

On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Lagos adjourned a case against renowned barman Pascal Okechukwu (Cubana Chief Priest) for alleged naira abuse till June 25.

On April 17, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Okechukwu with three counts of allegedly spraying and tampering with Naira notes during a social event at the Eko Hotel in Lagos.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail of N10 million.

At the last adjourned date of May 2, the defence counsel, Mr Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), informed the court that parties were exploring settlement and had applied that the matter be settled pursuant to the provisions of Section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.

Following the position, defence counsel then applied for a withdrawal of the preliminary objection, and since there was no objection from the prosecution, the court granted same.

The court had consequently adjourned the case until June 5 (today) for report of settlement.

However, on Wednesday, newsmen gathered that the defence had written a letter seeking an adjournment of the case.

The case has now been fixed for June 25.

In the charge, the defendant was said to have tampered with the funds in the denomination of N500 while dancing at the social event in Eko hotel.

The offence contravenes the provisions of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act of 2007. (NAN)