Businessman and Internet personality, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has been granted bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum by the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State.
The celebrity barman had earlier pleaded not guilty to charges of tampering and abusing the naira during a social event held at Eko Hotel in Lagos.
Arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on three counts of spraying and tampering with Naira notes, Cubana Chief Priest’s trial saw him represented by Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, while Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari appeared for the prosecution.
During the proceedings, the defence counsel raised a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction and filed a bail application on behalf of the defendant, which the prosecution did not oppose.
Upon pleading not guilty to the charges, the defence counsel moved a bail application urging the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms. He cited the defendant’s health condition, emphasizing Cubana Chief Priest’s palpitations due to his weight. Additionally, he highlighted the misdemeanor nature of the offence and the absence of past criminal records for the defendant.
Furthermore, the defence counsel underscored Cubana Chief Priest’s status as an employer of over 1000 individuals, whose livelihoods depend on their employment, urging the court to consider these factors in granting bail.
In response, the prosecutor left the issue of bail to the discretion of the court.
The court, after considering the arguments presented, granted bail to Cubana Chief Priest in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.
