The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Monday July 16, 2012 arraigned the Executive Coordinator of a Non –Governmental Organization, Community Social Humanitarian Project, Lillian Nkechi Omekara on a two-count charge of issuing dud Cheques before a federal Capital Territory High Court presided by Justice Ibrahim M. Bukar.
Omekara who was charged alongside her NGO, Community Social Humanitarian Project, was alleged to have obtained credit from one Alhaji Aminu Falala of Falala Furniture Limited/Gte by issuing Zenith bank cheques for the sum of N9, 000,000 (nine million naira only) and N6, 280,000 (six million, two hundred and eighty thousand naira only) respectively which were dishonoured due to insufficient funds in the account.
According to the Prosecution counsel, Chioma Okongwu, the offence is contrary to section 1 (1) (a) of the Dishonoured Cheque (offences) Act Cap 102 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and punishable under Section 1 (10 (b) (ii) of the same Act.
When the charges were read to the accused, she pleaded not guilty which prompted the prosecution counsel to ask for date for trial. The defence counsel Nwabu Nwosu however orally a motion for bail of his client moved. He stated that the offence for which she was charged was bailable under section 340 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
But the defence counsel, Okongwu objected to the bail application, insisting on a formal application. “It is proper my Lord for them to come formally. Besides, the suspect has not been consistent in reporting to the commission as required statutorily.”
The judge after careful consideration of both arguments granted bail to the accused in the sum of N500, 000 (five hundred thousand naira only) with two sureties in like sum. He stated that the sureties must be civil servants who must be residents of federal capital territory.
The case has been adjourned to October 15, 2012 for hearing.
