Nigerians have criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following the out-of-court settlement reached between the Commission and celebrity barman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly called Cubana Chief Priest.
Chronicle NG reports that the EFCC and Cubana Chief Priest have agreed to resolve the naira abuse accusation outside of court.
The out-of-court settlement was announced when the hearings resumed on Thursday.
Cubana Chief Priest appeared before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on three counts of misusing the national currency at a social event.
Cubana Chief Priest’s actions contradict the Central Bank Act of 2007.
He is accused of spraying and tampering with naira notes during a social function at Lagos’ Eko Hotel.
Reacting to the news, Nigerians berated the EFCC for allegedly collecting a bribe from a Cubana Chief Priest, while popular cross dresser Idris Olarenwaju, also known as Bobrisky, languishes in jail over the same offense.
Michael Ekwanko asked if “out-of-court settlement is the best approach in cases of financial abuse.
He added, “While it may expedite resolution, does it truly deliver justice and deter future misconduct?”
Daniel Peter described the out-of-court settlement, saying, “It’s like a VIP pass for the rich and famous to escape the consequences of their actions. Money talks, right? Well, let’s hope justice doesn’t turn a blind eye while these two parties make a backroom deal.”
While Tunde Olade alleged that the EFCC accepted a bribe to settle out of court when he said, “Once you have money in Nigeria, you’re above everything,” Sheriff Chukwuka “faults every move of the EFCC on this so-called naira abuse outing.”
Chukwuma added that “their two outings so far in this type of case prove how corrupt, unfair, imperfect, etc. they have been in many issues of justice.”
In his reaction, Ajegun Segun said, “Why should a Cuban Chief Priest be given the option of exploring an out-of-court settlement with the EFCC while Bobrisky was sentenced to prison and denied the same privilege?
“This shows the bias of the Nigerian justice system, which often takes a full course on ordinary citizens but pampered the elite and those who are connected to them.”
An X user simply identified as Chukwuebuka, alleged, “Money has exchanged hands.” He added, “It is good to have money.”
For Freddo Baggins, he condemned the out-of-court settlement in its entirety. He also lamented that “this simply connotes that if you have money, abuse the naira, then settle out of court. The law wasn’t made for the rich to abide by. Laws are for poor men.”
