Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, to carry out sensitisations against the abuse of Naira as it strikes out charge against him, News About Nigeria reports.
Justice Kehinde Ogundare gave this order on Tuesday.
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a charge against the celebrity bartender, for abusing the naira.
The judge, however, directed Cubana Chief Priest to forfeit the sum of N10 million to the Federal Government as part of an out-of-court deal the defendant agreed with the EFCC in lieu of the charge.
This was contained in the terms of the settlement agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which was adopted before the trial judge, Justice Kehinde Ogundare, on Tuesday.
The defendant’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, commended the reasonable action of the anti-graft agency in having the matter resolved.
He said the defendant is equally remorseful and promises to turn over a new leaf going forward.
He noted that the consequences of the settlement is for the court to dismiss the charge against his client.
Justice Ogundare in his short ruling adopted the terms of settlement and consequently struck out the charge.
The terms of settlement agreement pursuant to Section 14 (2) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004, read:
“The agreement applies only to the findings relating to contraventions of the law contained in the pending charge preferred against the defendant.
“The defendant entered 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/or 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 a minimum of 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 the execution of this agreement.”
