The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn its naira abuse case against Cubana Chief Priest.

On April 16, the antigraft agency filed a three-count charge against Cubana Chief Priest over alleged abuse of the naira.

Cubana Chief Priest was alleged to have sprayed and tampered with naira notes during an event at the Eko Hotel in Lagos.

However, the nightlife promoter pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail of ₦10 million.

At the last adjourned date on May 2, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), the defence counsel, informed the court that the parties were exploring settlement and had applied that the matter be settled under the provisions of section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.

On June 5, Ojukwu applied for a withdrawal of the preliminary objection.

Since there was no objection from the prosecution, the court granted the request.

At the resumption of sitting in Lagos on Tuesday, Kehinde Ogundare, the federal high court judge presiding over the matter, directed Cubana to forfeit the sum of ₦10 million to the federal government.

He cited this as a part of an out-of-court deal the defendant agreed to with the EFCC in place of the charge.

Ogundare adopted the terms of the settlement agreement submitted by the EFCC.

Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, the counsel for the EFCC, informed the court that the parties in the charge entered into the out-of-court settlement and it was duly signed.

Chikaosolu Ojukwu, the defendant’s counsel, commended the anti-graft agency for resolving the matter.

He said the defendant is equally “remorseful and promises to turn over a new leaf going forward”.

Ojukwu also said that the consequence of the settlement is for the court to dismiss the charge.

Ogundare, in his short ruling, adopted the terms of settlement and consequently struck out the charge.

He said the terms of the settlement agree with Section 14 (2) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004.

“The defendant shall enter into a bond with the EFCC to be of good behaviour and never indulge in any economic and financial crime or related offences,” he said.

“The defendant shall engage in rigorous and intensive sensitisation and/or campaign against the abuse of coins and notes issued under the CBN Act as legal tender.

“The defendant shall bi-monthly post on his various social media handles a minimum of two video clips of his sensitisation/campaign against abuse of naira and sundry offences.

“The Defendant shall pay to the consolidated revenue fund of Federation such sum not below the sum of ten million naira (₦10,000,000:00) only upon the execution of this agreement.”

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has mourned the death of Etop Andrew Essien, the deputy comptroller in charge of revenue, who died on Tuesday.

The late customs officer died at the national assembly while answering questions from members of the house of representatives committee on public account when he coughed and slumped.

Essien was rushed to the national assembly clinic, where he was confirmed dead.

In a statement, NCS said Essien was a “diligent and exceptional” officer who was dedicated to his duties as the deputy comptroller in charge of revenue in the account unit of the service.

“During his presentation (before the house committee), approximately three minutes in, Deputy Comptroller Essien requested water and showed signs of discomfort. Despite immediate efforts to assist him, he unfortunately passed away,” the statement, issued by Abdullahi Maiwada, NCS spokesperson, reads.

“He was known for his diligence and exceptional service record in the Accounts Unit. His role as DC Revenue was pivotal in ensuring the accurate reconciliation of revenue, which he performed with utmost precision and dedication.”

Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller general of customs, said the service will support the family of the deceased.

“The loss of such a dedicated and valued team member is deeply felt across the service.

“We are committed to supporting and assisting his family and colleagues as they navigate this difficult period,” Maiwada quoted Adeniyi as saying.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. His exemplary service and unwavering commitment to duty will be remembered and cherished by the entire NCS community.

“The Nigeria Customs Service will forever remember Deputy Comptroller Essien for his outstanding contributions, his exemplary service, and his dedication to the nation. We honour his memory, and his legacy will continue to inspire us all.”

Essien, who was born in November 1967, joined the NCS in 1989. He hailed from Nsit-Ubium LGA in Akwa Ibom state.

Protests against a controversial finance bill in Kenya escalated on Tuesday after police fired live rounds at demonstrators in Nairobi.

The bill has sparked widespread protests in Kenya since last week.

CNN reports that two bodies were lying motionless outside the parliament building on Tuesday.

Protesters forced their way into the assembly by breaking the fence. Once inside, they tore up flags, upturned chairs and tables, and stole the ceremonial mace.

The mace is the symbol of authority of parliament.

A section of the parliament fence was still on fire at the time of reporting.

Lawmakers who were at the parliament building escaped through an underground tunnel, according to NTV Kenya.

Earlier, Auma Obama, the half-sister of former US President Barack Obama, who joined the protests, was teargassed by police during a live interview with CNN.

“I can’t even see anymore, we’re being teargassed,” Obama said.

On Sunday, President William Ruto said he is ready to dialogue with youths who have sustained the protests.

However, security forces have been accused of abducting prominent Kenyans, especially those with huge social media following.

Amnesty International Kenya says it is investigating the whereabouts of up to 12 people who were “abducted in the middle of the night” ahead of Tuesday’s demonstrations.

“We are horrified by some of the testimonies we have heard over the last 24 hours,” Irũngũ Houghton, Amnesty Kenya executive director, said.

“We have about 12 people unaccounted for who have been picked up, in many cases, by people who are uniformed or not uniformed.”

In the wake of the protests, some parts of the bill have been expunged, including a 16 percent value-added tax (VAT) on bread, taxes on foreign exchange transactions and financial services, and a 2.5 percent car tax.