Adebisi allegedly presented a Fidelity Bank check for the sum in repayment of a loan he obtained from the complainant, Evaca Nigeria Limited, which on presentation at the bank was dishonored due to insufficient funds.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday April 10, 2017 arraigned one Fatai Siyanbola Adebisi before Justice M. O. Opara of the Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on a one-count charge bordering on issuance of a dishonored check to the tune of N1,260,000.
Adebisi allegedly presented a Fidelity Bank check for the sum in repayment of a loan he obtained from the complainant, Evaca Nigeria Limited, which on presentation at the bank was dishonored due to insufficient funds.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Count one reads;
"That you Fatai Siyanbola Adebisi on or about the 1st day of December, 2015 at Port Harcourt within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court with knowledge that there was insufficient funds in your account issued to Evaca Nigeria Limited a Fidelity Bank check number 02478543 dated December 1, 2015 for the sum of N1,260,000 (One million, Two Hundred and sixty Thousand Naira) only which said check on presentation for payment was dishonored due to insufficient funds in your account and thereby committed an offense contrary to section 1 (1) (a) of Dishonored Cheques (Offences) Act, CAP.D11 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under section 1 (b) (i) and (ii) of the same Act".
In view of his plea, counsel to EFCC, E. Abbiyesuku, urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
However, the defense counsel, C. N. Ogbonna, told the court that he has filed an application for bail with same served to the prosecution. He prayed the court to grant his client bail.
Justice Opara granted the defendant bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be within the jurisdiction of the court. The sureties must depose to an affidavit of means with two recent passports photograph. The sureties are to be verified by the court.
The defendant is to be remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of his bail. The case has been adjourned to 12 April, 2017 for hearing.
