The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today December 18th, 2018 re-arraigned one Christopher Nduka before Justice Darius Kogbo of State High Court 11 Kaduna on one count charge of obtaining money under false pretence.
The defendant was initially arraigned before Justice M. Tukur Muazu of High Court Seven, Kaduna and was granted bail by same Judge but jumped bail. When he was rearrested, he pleaded for a second bail but was denied. He then accused the judge of bias prompting the transfer of the case to Court 11.
The petitioner alleged that early July 2011, he supplied the suspect with pharmaceutical products worth N1,022,500.00 (One Million and Twenty Two Thousand Five Hundred Thousand Naira) only. The suspect promised to make payment within two weeks but failed to do so. Subsequently the suspect issued a bank cheque (Equatorial Trust Bank) valued at N928, 000.00 (Nine Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand Naira) in favour of Vitro Health Company which was dishonoured on presentation.
The charge read: ”That you, Christopher Nduka, on or about 29th day of July, 2011 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kaduna State, knowingly and fraudulently issued cheque number 05079552 dated 22 July, 2011 for the sum of N982,000.00 (Nine Hundred And Fifty Two Thousand) payable to Vitro Health Nig. Ltd from account Number 1120005582 Equatorial Trust Bank PLC, Independence Way, Kaduna Branch, Kaduna, knowing there was no sufficient funds in the account and the cheque was returned unpaid when it was presented for payment and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(a) and punishable under section 1(1)(b)(i) of Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act, CapD11 LFN, 2004.
The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of his plea, Prosecution Counsel Nasir Salele asked for a date for trial.
Defense Counsel prayed the court to admit his client to bail.
Justice Kogbo described the case as trial denovo and granted the suspect bail in the sum One Million Naiar and a surety in like sum, the surety must have a landed property in Kaduna state which must be verified by the registry and EFCC.
The judge adjourned the case to 29 January, 2019 for trial.