One Folake Joy Yobah alongside her company, Skyhigh Ventures Limited, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 14 before Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on a five-count charge bordering on issuance of dud cheque to the tune of N40m (Forty Million Naira).
The complainant, Emmanuel Uzomah, Managing Director, United Surgical Limited, and the defendant had opened a joint account, after the latter allegedly entered an agreement to finance a contract awarded to the former.
Consequently, the accused person allegedly issued six cheques in favour of the complainant.
However, when the complainant presented the cheques, they were dishonoured due to insufficient funds in her (Yobah) account.
Count one reads: “That you Folake Joy Yobah (Mrs) , Managing Director and sole signatory of Skyhigh Ventures Limited, sometime in 2014 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, in settlement of a legal obligation to wit: a debt owed to Emmanuel Uzomah, Managing Director of United Surgical Limited in Abuja, did issue a United Bank for Africa Plc cheque no. 25127375, dated November 3, 2014 in the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira Only) which when presented within three months was dishonoured on the grounds that no sufficient funds were standing to the credit of the account upon which the cheque was drawn; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 1(1) b(ii) Dishonoured Cheque (offences) Act, Cap 102, Laws of the Federation, 2004.”
The accused person pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Daylop E. Vou, asked for a trial date.
However, the defence counsel, Steve I. Imokhe, made an oral application for bail on behalf of his client.
Consequently, Justice Oriji granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N4m (Four Million Naira) with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be resident within the FCT, Abuja; they must depose to an affidavit of means and must not be below grade level 12 in the Federal Civil Service.
The case has been adjourned to September 14, 2016 for commencement of trial. [EFCC]
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate