Prominent Instagram personality, Pascal Okechukwu, recognized as Cubana Chief Priest, made his appearance at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, promptly at 8:40 am for his arraignment on three charges related to allegedly mishandling and defacing the Nigerian currency at a social event, a violation of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
Upon hearing the charges, he entered a plea of not guilty. His legal counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chikaosolu Ojukwu, petitioned the court to grant his client bail.
Counsel for the EFCC, Bilikisu Buhari, did not challenge the bail request, leaving the decision to the court’s judgment.
Justice Kehinde Ogundare then granted bail in the sum of N10 million, with two reliable sureties of equal value. The court specified the sureties should hold steady employment within the federal or state government and hold positions of at least Grade Level 16.
The sureties must also own landed properties within the court’s jurisdiction, which shall undergo verification by both the prosecution and the court.
The bail conditions must be fulfilled within seven days. Meanwhile, Cubana Chief Priest was released into the custody of his lawyer, who must ensure his appearance in court for trial; failure to do so would result in the defendant being remanded in a correctional facility.
Additionally, the defendant, instructed to surrender his international passport to the court’s safekeeping, notified the court of his pending application to contest its jurisdiction over the charges.
Justice Ogundare adjourned the case to May 2nd to hear the application.
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