News
Cubana Chief Priest Cleared as Court Concludes His Naira Abuse Case
The Federal High Court in Lagos dismissed a charge against Pascal Okechukwu, the celebrity bartender known as Cubana Chief Priest, regarding alleged naira abuse.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought charges against Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, on April 17, accusing him of unlawfully handling and spraying naira notes at a social event held at Eko Hotel in Lagos. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail set at ₦10 million.
During subsequent court proceedings, both parties explored settlement under section 14(2) of the EFCC Act. The defence withdrew a preliminary objection, and after a series of adjournments due to counsel’s absence, they finally presented terms of settlement on June 25. Bilikisu Buhari represented the prosecution, while Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) appeared for the defence. The prosecution filed and adopted the terms, which included the defendant entering into a bond of good behaviour, engaging in public awareness campaigns against naira abuse, and making a financial contribution to the Federation’s revenue fund.
In response, the defence agreed with the terms and requested the court to dismiss the case accordingly. The court, citing the agreement between both parties and pursuant to the EFCC Establishment Act, subsequently struck out the charge against Cubana Chief Priest.
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
“Fighting for Nigerians Is Tiring” — VeryDarkMan Recalls Burna Boy’s Words
Enzo Fernández Moves Closer to Manchester City Transfer
