The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered celebrity bartender and businessman Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, to forfeit ₦10 million to the Federal Government as a fine for the alleged abuse of the Naira.
This decision was part of a settlement agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which was adopted by Justice Kehinde Ogundare on Tuesday.
During the proceedings, EFCC counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala informed the court that both parties had reached an out-of-court settlement, which was duly signed.
The defendant’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chikaosolu Ojukwu, praised the EFCC’s reasonable approach in resolving the matter. He noted that the defendant is remorseful and committed to reforming his behavior.
Ojukwu also stated that as a consequence of the settlement, the court should dismiss the charge.
In a brief ruling, Justice Ogundare adopted the terms of the settlement and struck out the charge.
The settlement agreement, made pursuant to Section 14 (2) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004, reads:
“The agreement applies only to the findings relating to contraventions of the law contained tn the pending charge preferred against the defendant.
“The defendant thall 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/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 af this agreement.”