The three-count charges against, hotelier, businessman,  Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, for alleged abuse of the Naira  before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court,  Lagos had been struck out, while the defendant was cautioned and discharged


The socialite was charged to court in April by  the EFCC  for alleged Naira abuse, but he pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge filed by the EFCC and  was subsequently granted bail in the amount of N10 million.


In May, the court adjourned  Cubana Chief  Priest’s case to accommodate his plea bargain negotiations with the EFCC.


Cubaba Chief Priest’s attorney, Chikaosolu Ojukwu had  informed Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the defendant’s intention to pursue a plea bargain under Section 14 of the EFCC Establishment Act.


Mr Ojukwu urged  the court to set a date for an update on the negotiations. Granting the request, Justice Ogundare dismissed the preliminary objection and scheduled the case for June 5 to hear the plea bargain agreement report. The case was subsequently rescheduled for June 25.


 Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court, Lagos in his ruling on Tuesday struck out the Naira abuse charges filed against Cubana Chief Priest by the EFCC.


The judge also ordered that he forfeit N10 Million to the Federal Government as part of an out-of-court deal the defendant agreed to with the EFCC instead of the charge.


This was contained in the settlement agreement with the EFCC, which the trial judge adopted on Tuesday.


At the proceedings, Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, counsel for the EFCC, informed the court that the parties in the charge entered into an out-of-court settlement, which both parties duly signed.


The defendant’s counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, commended the anti-graft agency’s reasonable action in resolving the matter. He said the defendant is equally remorseful and promised to turn over a new leaf.


Mr Ojukwu also said that the consequence of the settlement is for the court to dismiss the charge.


Justice Ogundare, in his short ruling, adopted the terms of settlement and consequently struck out the charge.


The terms of the settlement agreement under Section 14 (2) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004, read:


“The agreement applies only to the findings relating to infringements of the law contained in the pending charge preferred against the defendant.


“The defendant shall enter into a bond with the EFCC to be of good behaviour and never indulge in any Economic and Financial Crime or related offences.


“The Defendant shall engage in rigorous and intensive sensitisation and campaign against the abuse of coins and notes issued under the CBN Act as legal tender.


“The defendant shall bi-monthly post on his various social media handles at least two video clips of his sensitisation/campaign against abuse of naira and sundry offences.


“The Defendant shall pay to the consolidated revenue fund of Federation such sum not below the sum of Ten million naira (N10,000,000:00) only upon executing this agreement.”