21st January, 2016
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday, January 21, 2016 arraigned one Bright Echefu before Justice S.C Amadi of the State High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers on one-count charge bordering on Issuance of Dud Cheque and Obtaining by false pretense.
The accused allegedly received computer accessories, laptops and stationeries which were delivered to his (suspect) business premises at Touchville Hotel, Ada George Road, Port Harcourt by the victim.
After the supply, the suspect issued a post dated UBA cheque of one million, one hundred and sixty five thousand, five hundred naira (N1, 165, 500. 00), with a further agreement to pay the balance of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150, 000) on a later date. But the cheque was returned unpaid due to insufficient funds on the suspect’s account. All efforts made to recover the money by the victim, were futile.
The charge reads, “That you, Bright Echefu on or about the 17th day of December, 2013 at Port Harcourt in the Port Harcourt Judicial Division did issue a United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc. Cheque No. 00000068 drawn on your Cooperate Account (Gifted Word Broadcasting Limited) with Account No. 033213466 in the sum of One Million, One Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N1, 165, 500. 00) in favor of PCA Tech Integrated Services which was presented for payment within three (3) months, and was dishonored on grounds of insufficient funds standing to your credit and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (1)(a) and punishable under Section 1 (ii) of the Dishonored Cheques Offences Act Cap D11 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act 2007”.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, C. Okorie asked for a date for commencement of trial.
Justice Amadi adjourned the matter to 25th January, 2016 for hearing of bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.