Business Woman in EFCC Net for Issuance of Dud Cheque
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Office, on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, arraigned one Anna Ogbole and her company, Henot Global Business Limited on a two-count charge before Justice S. O. Itodo of the Benue State High Court, sitting in Makurdi for alleged issuance of dud cheque.
Trouble started for Mrs Ogbole when the Makurdi office of the Commission received a petition against from the plaintiff, who alleged that he entered into an agreement with the defendant to finance a contract, awarded to her company, Henot Global Business Limited.
The plaintiff further alleged that he made N3,200,000 (Three Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira) contribution towards the execution of the project, and that the suspect later issued him a cheque of the said amount which was returned unpaid by the bank due insufficient fund.
He further revealed that he exhausted all avenues available to him to persuade the defendant to honour their agreement.
Count One of the charges reads: “That you Ann Ogbole being the managing director of Henot Global Business Limited and you Henot Global Business Limited on or about the 19th November, 2017 at Makurdi within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did with the knowledge that you had insufficient funds in the account of Henot Global Business Limited, issued to one Adima Godwin Egbe, a First Bank Cheque No. 19659920, dated 19th November, 2018 for the sum of N3, 200, 000.00 (Three Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira), only, which the said cheque when presented for payment within three months of issuance was dishonoured due to insufficient funds and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (b) of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act Cap D11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 1 (1) (b) (i) and (ii) of the same Act.”The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In view of the not guilty plea, prosecution counsel, G. G. Chia-Yakua, asked for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in prison custody.
The defence counsel, E. C. A. Hundu, however, told the court that he had a bail application and urged the court to grant his client bail.
Justice Itodo granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must, however, show evidence of three years tax clearance, and must also reside in Makurdi.
He adjourned the case to June 10 and 11, 2019 for trial.
