The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday October 15, 2012, arraigned Engr. Ebong Afia before Justice S.E. Aladetoyinbo of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, on a one count charge of issuance of a dud cheque to the tune of three million naira.
The one count charge reads: “That you Engr. Ebong Edet Afia and Violmekat Technical West Africa Limited on or about the 10th of May, 2011 in Abuja, in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal capital Territory did with the knowledge that you had insufficient funds in your account issued to one Terna Ugbir, an Intercontinental Bank cheque number 06235058 dated 10th May, 2011 for the sum of N3, 000,000.00 (three million naira Only) which the said cheque when presented for payment within three months of issuance was dishonoured due to insufficient funds in your account and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Dishonoured cheques (Offence) Act cap D11 Laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 1(1)(b)(I) of the same Act”.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, and the defence counsel O. Akpokona informed the court that he had filed an application for bail for the accused and prayed it to exercise its discretion in favour of his client; assuring that he would not jump bail. He also asked the court to take judicial notice of the fact that the accused is a first time offender, and is currently on EFCC administrative bail.
Prosecution counsel Odibo Iwebafa didn’t oppose the bail application, but prayed the court to issue conditions which will ensure the accused is available for trial.
The judge, while adjourning the matter to 14th November, 2012 for trial, granted the accused bail in the sum of three million with one surety in like sum. He said the surety must be resident within the FCT and own landed property also within the FCT.
