The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on
Thursday May 16, 2013 arraigned the Director of Echo Petroleum and Chemical
Marketing Nigeria Limited, Ahmed Echoda before Justice Ugochukwu Ogakwu
of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi, Abuja on 2-count
charge of issuance of dud cheques to the tune of Four million, Five
Hundred Thousand Naira (N4.5 million).
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.
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