N6.5m Fraud: EFCC Docks Company Director

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today May 15, 2014 arraigned one Madeline Eyimofe alongside her company, Demoris Environmental Services Limited before Justice R.I. Ahiakwo of the State High Court on one count charge bordering on issuance of a dud cheque.  Madeline allegedly issued an Oceanic Bank Cheque No 08816714 for the sum of Six million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N6, 500,000.00) to one Sylvester Igwegbe. The cheque was allegedly returned for lack of sufficient fund when it was presented for payment.  She however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In view of her plea, prosecuting counsel, U.R Ewoh asked the court for a date to commence trial but the defence counsel, E.E Okocha urged the court to grant his client bail.  Justice Ahiakwo granted the accused persons bail in the sum of Ten Million Naira (N10, 000,000.00) with two sureties in like sum.   

 The  charge against the accused reads, “that you Mabeline Eyimofe being the Director of Demoris Environmental Services Limited on or about the 2^nd day of March, 2011 at Port Harcourt in the Port Harcourt Judicial Division of the High Court did fraudulently issue an Oceanic Bank Plc cheque, no. 08816714 dated 2^nd day of March, 2011 in the sum of Six Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N6,500,000.00) in favour of Sylvester Igwegbe in the name of your company, Demoris Environmental Services Limited which was to settle your financial obligation with the said Sylvester Igwegbe and when the said cheque was presented for payment within three months of its issue. It was dishonoured due to insufficient funds standing in your credit and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and (b)(i) & (ii) of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act Cap D11 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation) 2007.

The matter was adjourned till June 26, 2014 for trial.