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| Ekanem Sunday Udo |
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Uyo Zonal Office, on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, arraigned one Ekanem Sunday Udo before Justice Okon A. Okon of the State High Court, sitting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on a two-count charge bordering on issuance of dud cheque and stealing to the tune of N6million (Six Million Naira).
Udo is accused by one Anthony Ifeanyi J, managing director of IFY-JONES Nigeria Limited of stealing the sum of over N6million (Six Million Naira).
In his petition dated July 19, 2018, he alleged that he supplied the defendant 24 (Twenty-four tricycles) with the understanding that he was going to pay up within a stipulated time frame.
The defendant eventually reneged, while all efforts the plaintiff made to recover his money from him were rebuffed, even as the defendant has sold the entire tricycles, supplied to him.
The defendant allegedly worsened the situation by issuing a dud cheque to the plaintiff, which was dishonoured by the bank due to insufficient fund.
The defendant is also alleged to have cut off the line of communication between him and the plaintiff and also moved out of his known business address.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Ekanem Sunday Udo “M” sometime in 2017 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did fraudulently steal the sum of N6,148,000.00 (Six Million, One Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand Naira) only, being part of the proceeds, realized from the sale of 24 (Twenty-four) tricycles supplied to you by Mr. Anthony Ifeanyi J, Managing Director of IFY-JONES Nigeria Limited, property of Mr. Anthony Ifeanyi J. Managing Director of IFY-JONES Nigeria Limited by converting same to your personal use and thereby committed an offence.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel Barrister N. K. Ukoha, prayed the court to remand the accused in prison and fix a trial date.
But the defence counsel, Aniete Inyang, made an oral application for bail, which Ukoha opposed, arguing that the defence should approach the court with a formal application.
Justice Okon O. granted the accused bail in the sum of N10million and one surety in like sum. The surety shall be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and shall also own a permanent building within the jurisdiction of the court.
He adjourned the matter to June 20, 2019 for trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Uyo Prisons, pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.
