Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos, On Tuesday, dismissed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) allegation of naira abuse against well-known bartender Pascal Okechukwu, popularly referred to as Cubana Chief Priest.
As part of an agreement the defendant made outside of court with the EFCC in exchange for the charge, the judge also ordered Okechukwu to forfeit the sum of N10 million to the Federal Government.
This was stated in the terms of the settlement agreement that was approved by Trial Judge Kehinde Ogundare on Tuesday, together with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During the hearing, EFCC counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala told the judge that the parties to the charge had reached an out-of-court settlement, which they had both officially signed.
The defendant's lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chikaosolu Ojukwu, commended the anti-graft agency for its impartial case resolution process. He claims that the defendant is equally remorseful and promises to turn a new leaf from now on.
Ojukwu added that the settlement would result in the charge being dropped by the court. In a brief ruling, Justice Ogundare accepted the terms of the settlement and subsequently dismissed the allegation.
