Rep member charged with issuing dud cheques

Nnamdi Felix / Abuja

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday arraigned Aliyu Gebi, a member of the House of Representatives representing Bauchi state and member of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Internal Security before an Abuja High Court for issuing dud cheques of about N120.5 million, to his lender.

Gebi was slammed with a 13-count charge wherein he was accused of issuing 13 dud cheques in favour of a company, Musty Petroleum Limited, an offence contrary to and punishable under section l(b) (i) of the Dishonoured Cheque (offences) Act, 2004 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Specifically, the law maker issued his lender post dated cheques from his personal account maintained at United Bank For Africa, UBA, as well as those of his company, Craft Technology Limited, with dates of value as 12/01/2012 and 13/01/12 respectively.

He allegedly issued the cheques to cover an interest free loan of N125 million repayable within a period of 60 days, which the company borrowed him.

Upon the lodging the cheques, they were returned unpaid due to insufficient funds in both the law maker’s personal account and his company’s.

Gebi pleaded not guilty to all the counts of the charge and proceeded to ask for bail from the court.

His lawyer, Mr. Babatunde Oyefeso, prayed the court to grant the law maker bail on self-recognition.

He informed the court that Hon. Gebi had been enjoying an administrative bail granted him by the anti-graft agency.

EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Mohammed Bello did not oppose the bail application. He confirmed that Gebi had deposited his diplomatic passport with the commission but urged the court to note the gravity of the offence by imposing condition that will make the accused person attend his trial.

The presiding judge, Justice Abba Bello Muhammad subsequently granted Gebi bail on previous terms as granted by the EFCC.

The matter was adjourned till February 19 for trial.