Contractor Remanded Over Dud Cheque

An Abuja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday remanded Hamza Idris, a contractor, in prison custody for allegedly issuing a N1.3 million dud cheque to a pastor.

Idris, 45, who was arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal breach of trust, cheating and issuance of dud cheque, was refused bail by Magistrate Ahmed Shuaibu.

Police Prosecutor Abiola Oyewusi opposed granting the accused, who pleaded not guilty, bail, arguing that he would jump bail “as he jumped police bail.”

Oyewusi had told the court that the accused, who resides at Rima Street, Maitama, Abuja, had cheated Pastor Nicholas Agomuo of N1.3 million on December 12, 2010.

The prosecutor said the accused met the complainant and told him that he needed assistance to execute a N1.2 million contract he secured from the Bauchi State government.

He said the complainant released N1.3 million to the accused to enable him start work, while the accused deposited a Lincoln Navigator car as collateral.

The prosecutor said it was later discovered that the car belonged to a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police.

Oyewusi said the accused, who promised to pay back the money, deceived the complainant by allegedly issuing him a dud cheque, an offence which contravenes the provisions of the Penal Code and the laws of the Federation.

The case was adjourned to October 6 for hearing.