The Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, on January 24, 2019 arraigned one Murtala Sani and Danasabe Mamman before Justice Kabiru Dabo of Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Zaria on a one-count charge bothering on issuance of dishonoured cheque.
The defendants, Chairman and Secretary of the Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU Zaria, respectively, were said to have colluded to defraud Shukku Ventures when they issued cheques, knowing that there was insufficient funds in the said account of Non Academic Staff Union, ABU.
The charge reads: “That you Murtala Sani and Danasabe Mamman while acting as Chairman and Secretary, respectively of ABU Junior Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society on or about 28th July, 2017 at Zaria within the Jurisdiction of the Kaduna State High Court issued and signed a Cheque drawn in the name of Non Academic Staff Union ABU in the sum of N1,700,000 (in partial settle of a contractual debt owed by you) to Shukku Ventures, when you knew that there was insufficient funds in the said account of Non Academic Staff Union, ABU and which when presented for payment on the 28th July, 2017 was dishonoured; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(b) Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act,1977 and punishable under section 1(1)(b)(I) of the same act”.
According to the complainant, a contract award was given in December 2016 by ABU’s Junior Staff Multi Purpose Cooperative Society to supply 20 cows for its members to celebrate Christmas at a unit price of N225,000 amounting to the total sum of N4,500,000 which was to be paid in two months. He only paid the sum of N2, 000,000 after the supply was made instead of the agreed sum and on demand for his remaining sum, he was issued a First Bank cheque of N1,700,000 which was dishonoured”.
They pleaded “not guilty” to the charge.
Prosecuting counsel, Michael Ojo, asked the court for a date for hearing.
Defence counsel, U.S. Balarabe, however, made an oral application for bail.
Justice Dabo granted them bail with the condition of a reliable surety who must be a resident in Zaria, a senior civil servant with his passport, identity card or letter of identification.
They were ordered to be remanded in prison pending the fulfilment of the bail condition.
The case has been adjourned to February 18 and 19, 2019 for hearing.