By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Justice Abimbola Awogboro of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned till November 29, 2023, for commencement of trial of a Lagos businessman Oghenekaro Ekewenu alleged to have issued dud cheque
In a three count charge filed before the court by the Police prosecuting counsel Barrister Henry Obiazi from Special Fraud Unit Milverton Ikoyi Lagos, it was alleged that Oghenekaro Ekewenu sometimes in August, 2021 at Lekki, Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Court did issue a Bank cheque with serial number 03563354 dated 30th August, 2021 to one Tayo Magbagbeola for the sum of Nl5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) as part payment of the money he owes him.
It was stated that when the cheque was presented for payment within a reasonable time, it was dishonoured on the ground that no funds or insufficient funds were standing to his credit in the Bank on which the cheque was drawn and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(1) of the Dishonoured Cheques (offences). Act, (Cap. D11) LFN, 2004.
It was further stated Oghenekaro Ekewenu, sometimes in February, 2021 at Lekki, was alleged to have issued Cheque with serial number 03563352 dated 26th February, 2021 to one Tayo Magbagbeola for the sum of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) as part payment of his debt which was presented for payment, but was dishonoured on the grounds that no funds or insufficient funds were standing to his credit in the Bank upon which the cheque was drawn and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(1) of the Dishonoured Cheques Offences Act cap. D11 (LFN) 2004.
In count three of the charge Oghenekaro Ekewenu was alleged to have sometimes in December, 2019 at Lekki, Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Court issued a Cheque with serial number 92618742 dated 18th December, 2019 to one Magbagbeola Akintayo for the sum of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000.00) as part payment of his house rent and which when presented for payment, was dishonoured on the grounds that no funds or insufficient funds were standing to his credit in the Bank upon which the cheque was drawn and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(1) of the Dishonoured Cheques Offences Act cap. D11 (LFN) 2004.
The defendant who pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned before the court was granted bail by the trial judge.