The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday arraigned one Gideon Oraeli before Justice R.I Ahiakwo of the State High Court, Port Harcourt on one count charge bordering on issuance of dud cheque.
Gideon allegedly got some goods from the complainant for which he made some cash payment and issued a Diamond Bank cheque number: 25622626 for the sum of N8,868,063.00 (eight million eight hundred and sixty eight thousand, sixty three naira) as the outstanding balance. But upon presentation, the said cheque was returned unpaid due to insufficient fund.
The charge reads; “that you Gideon Oraeli on or about the 2nd of December, 2011 at Port Harcourt within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court with knowledge that you had insufficient funds in your account issued to G.I & Distribution Limited a Diamond Bank cheque number: 25622626 dated December 2, 2011 for the sum of N8, 868,063.00 ( eight million eight hundred and sixty eight thousand, sixty three naira) only, which said cheque on presentation for payment was dishonoured due to insufficient funds in your account and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(a) of Dishonoured Cheque (Offences) Act Cap D11 of the Revised Edition( Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under section 1(b)(ii) of the same Act”.
The accused person pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.
In view of his plea, counsel to the accused, S.A Mommor, prayed the court to admit his client to bail. However, the prosecuting counsel, J.N Dogonyaro did not oppose the application for bail but asked the court to grant bail in terms that will ensure the accused person stands trial.
Justice Ahiakwo granted the accused bail in the sum of ten million naira (N10, 000,000. 00) with two sureties in the sum of five million naira (N5, 000,000.00) each. Sureties must own a landed property and must reside within the Jurisdiction of court.
The case was adjourned to November 25, 2013 for trial.
