Police Arraign Firm’s MD Over Alleged Dud Cheques

SFU in the charge marked FHC/L/461C/2017 stated that the accused had between August 22, 2016 and June 30, 2017, issued 15 Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) cheques to one Okechukwu Enelameh of Fredliz Estates Limited, in settlement of his indebtedness to the Company for three months.

The Police however stated that upon the presentation of the cheques for payment, they were returned dishonoured for lack of funds in the accused person’s account.

The prosecutor, Mr. Slyvester Azubike said the actions are contrary to and punishable under section 1(a)(i) of the Dishonoured Cheques (offences) Act Cap. D11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The accused however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, his counsel, Mr. Adewale Olawoyin (SAN), pleaded with the court to grant his client bail in liberal terms pending the trial. But, the prosecution opposed his application.

Olawoyin in urging the court for bail said he had filed a bail application dated December 21, 2017, adding that is had been served on the prosecution.

He argued that the bail application was pursuant to section 158 and 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended.

Olawoyin urged the court to discountenance the allegation made by the prosecution that his client will not come to court if granted bail, saying that even when the accused was granted administrative bail, he travelled to America for medical treatment and willingly reported back to the police on his arrival.

After listened to the submissions of both parties, the trial judge, Justice Hadiza Rabiu-Shagari, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody and adjourned till January 3, 2018, for ruling on the bail application.