Crimes commission arraigns company chairman for issuance of dud cheque

Yanju Uwala in Abeokuta

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, arraigned  Williams Bamidele Samuel, before a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Wuse, Abuja for alleged issuance of dud cheque to the tune of ₦27 million.

Penpushing reports that in a statement made available to journalists, by the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the accused  issued a Guaranty Trust Bank Plc cheque number: 49283068 in the sum of N27million to allegedly committed the crime;

The charge, which reads; “That you Williams Bamidele Salami (CEO/Chairman of Fishgate Technologies Limited), and Fishgate Technologies Limited in settlement of a credit obtained from Friday Olajide and Angelwalker Limited in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, issued a Guaranty Trust Bank Plc cheque number: 49283068 in the sum of N27million (Twenty-seven million Naira) to Angelwarker Ltd; which you knew when presented within three months would be dishonoured on the ground that no sufficient funds were standing to the credit of the account upon which the cheque was drawn and you thereby committed an offence contrary Section1(1) (b) and punishable under Section 1(1) (b)  (i) (ii) of Dishonoured Cheque (Offences) Act, Cap 102, Laws of the Federation, 2004.”

Penpushing further reports that the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge, thereby prompting counsel to the Economic Crime Commission(EFCC), Faruk Abdullah to ask the court for a commencement date of trial.

The defence to the counsel, Obom Benson, prayed the court for the defendant to continue to enjoy the administrative bail earlier granted by the commission, adding that such was in line with the federal government’s rule of decongesting the prisons due to coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, Justice Adepoju, granted the request of the defence counsel and adjourned the case till June 9, 2020, for commencement of trial.