Alleged issuance of dud cheque: Absence of couple stalls arraignment

The absence of a couple, Francis and Dorcas Kudjo, charged with the alleged issuance of a dud check on Tuesday, stalled their arraignment in a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a five-count charge bordering on the issuance of a dud check and forgery against the couple.

Justice Asmau Akanbi-Yusuf adjourned the matter until November 22 for definite arraignment following the prosecution counsel's submission for an adjournment.

Dauda had told the court that the couple had not been served with the charge against them, which was the same position at the last adjourned date, May 2.

He added that the investigating officer in the matter said that the couple are Ghanaian citizens and may have left the country.

The prosecution counsel therefore applied for the case to be adjourned in order to ensure the defendants were served.

Supreme News reports that the prosecution alleged that Dorcas, trading under the name Hussbek Ventures, issued a N3.1 million check in favour of Commpress Global Limited as part payment for a N5 million loan in March 2018.

He further alleged that Dorcas issued another N2.2million cheque to the said company for a N7 million loan, adding that all the cheques were returned unpaid upon presentation due to insufficient funds.

Dauda alleged that the defendants used as genuine staff identity cards and appointment letters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to obtain a loan facility from Credit Direct Limited on March 2018.

He said Dorcas’ husband, trading under Esefrany Ventures also issued a N5.3million cheque in favour of Chenti Concepts Limited as guarantee for a loan advanced to Dorcas which was returned unpaid due to insufficient funds.

The offence, he said contravened the provisions of sections 366 of the Penal Code and 1(1)(b) of the Dishonoured Cheques Offences Act.