The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 arraigned a Lagos business woman and legal practitioner, Stella Achebe, before Justice S. S. Ogunsanya of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja on one-count charge bordering on issuance of dud cheque.
Specifically, Achebe allegedly issued a Diamond Bank cheque for the sum of N2, 000,000.00(Two Million Naira only), in favour of one Daniel Ebinoh of Leinadibanie Nigeria Limited, but was dishonoured on the ground of insufficient funds.
When the charge was read to her, she pleaded not guilty.
The charge reads: “Stella Achebe on or about 3rd December, 2012 at Lagos within the Ikeja judicial Division knowingly and fraudulently issued a Diamond Bank Cheque No. 45434600 dated 7th December, 2012 for the sum of Two Million Naira only (N2.000.000.00) payable to Daniel Ebinoh of Leinadibanie Nigeria Limited which when presented for payment was dishonoured on the grounds that no sufficient funds were standing to the credit of the account on which the cheque was drawn”.
In view of her plea, prosecuting counsel, Abosede Oluwabunmi asked for a trial date. She opposed the bail application of the defendant and asked for accelerated hearing of the case. However, defense counsel, Olanrewaju Ajanaku presented a bail application before the court. He argued that since Achebe did not jump the administrative bail offered her by the EFCC, she would make herself available for trial, if admitted to bail.
After listening to the submissions of counsel, Justice Ogunsanya granted her bail in the sum of N1million and two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be her relative, the other must have a landed property in Lagos and both gainfully employed.
They are also to provide evidence of three years tax payment.
Justice Ogunsanya subsequently adjourned the case till February 20, 2015 for trial.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
