EFCC Press Release: EFCC docked businesswoman for N9.4m Dud Cheque

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, February 13, 2014 arraigned one Ngozi  Ibeka before Justice Valentine Ashi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Wuse, Abuja on a 14-count charge bordering on fraud and breach of trust.

Ibeka, Managing Director of Em-Lette Nigeria Limited  is alleged to have received several supplies of rice  from Stallion Nigeria Limited and issued 14 different cheques in payment. The cheques were  dishonoured by the bank due to insufficient funds in her account.

Count one of the charge reads,  “That you Mrs. Ngozi Ibeka while being the Managing Director of Em-Lette Nigeria Limited, sometime in 2013  in Abuja within the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory with intent to defraud, did issue a Zenith Bank Cheque No. 52088431 dated 21 February, 2013, in the sum of Five Million Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira (N5, 490.000) to one Popular Foods Limited to obtain credit which when presented within three months was dishonoured on the ground of insufficient funds standing to your credit and you thereby committed an offence  contrary to  Section 1(1) of the Dishonoured Cheque (Offences ) Act cap D11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 1(1) of the same Act”. The accused pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to her.

Justice Ashi adjourned the case to Friday, February 14, 2014 for hearing of the bail application.