By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Federal High Court presided over by Justice Kehinde Ogundare sitting in Lagos State has granted businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, better known as Cubana Chief Priest, N10 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
The celebrity bar man had earlier pleaded not guilty to tampering and abusing the naira during his trial.
Cubana Chief Priest was arraigned in court on three counts of spraying and tampering with Naira notes during a social event at Eko hotel in Lagos.
When the case was called on Wednesday,17 April, 2024, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari appeared for the prosecution while Mr Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, announced appearance for the defendant.
The defence counsel then first informed the court of a preliminary objection challenging the courts jurisdiction as well as a bail application filed on behalf of the defendant.
He informed the court that the prosecution was not opposed to same.
After the charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In moving the bail application of the defendant, his counsel urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.
He told the court that the defendant was admitted by the prosecution following his health condition, adding that due to his weight, the defendant suffers palpitation.
Besides, he told the court that the offence with which the defendant is charged is a misdemeanor and that the prescribed punishment ranges from a fine of N50,000 or an imprisonment term of six months.
He urged the court to grant bail on very liberal terms to the defendant as he is a first offender with no past criminal records.
His counsel also informed the court that the defendant is an employer of labour with over 1000 employees on his payroll, who are dependent on their jobs.
He, consequently, urged the court to grant his application as moved.
In response, the prosecutor said she will leave the issue of bail to the discretion of the court.
