The accused person was alleged to have issued the cheques
as part payment for 73,000 liters of kerosene supplied to him by the
complainant, Ibrahim A. Lawani but were dishonored because of insufficient funds
in his account. The offence is contrary to section 1(1) (b) of the Dishonored
Cheques Act Cap D11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The accused
pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him after which counsel to EFCC,
R. A Liman asked the court to fix a date for hearing.
However, counsel
to the accused, Oba Ochoja prayed the court to grant the accused bail on the
grounds that the offence is a bailable and that he has been on EFCC
administrative bail.
Justice Ogakwu granted bail to
the accused person in the sum of N4 million and two sureties in like sum, who
must be level 14 officers in the public service. The sureties must be resident
in Abuja and should depose to an affidavit of means. The addresses of the
sureties are to be verified by the court registrar.
One of the charges
read: “that you, Alhaji Ahmed Echoda being the chairman of Echoda Petroleum and
Chemical Marketing Limited sometimes in July, 2011 in Abuja within the Abuja
Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did issue a
First Bank Plc cheque No.88260291, dated 26th August, 2011, in the
sum of Three Million Naira (N3, 000,000.) to Ibrahim Lawani, to obtain credit
which when presented within three months was dishonored on the ground of
insufficient funds standing to your credit and you thereby committed an offence
contrary to section 1(1) (b) of the Dishonored Cheques (offences) Act Cap D11
Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 1(1) (b) (1)
of the same Act”. The case has been adjourned to
June 18, 2013 for trial.
By Emeka Ibemere
By Emeka Ibemere
No comments:
Post a Comment