EFCC arraigns businessman for N60m dud cheque

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Valentine Orji, the Managing Director of Naxpro Energy & Shipping Company Limited before Justice A. A. Onojovwo of the Delta State High Court sitting in Warri, on a six-count charge bordering on issuance of dud cheque to the tune of N60million (Sixty Million Naira).

The petitioner, ARC Marine & Civil Construction Company Limited alleged that sometime in September 2013 Orji, approached her in the company of one Mr. Bimbo requesting to buy a vessel, MV DOLA with registration No. IMO H. 6826793. After the negotiation, the parties agreed on the sum of N140million (One Hundred and Forty Million Naira).

The two parties agreed that the vessel would be handed over to Orji's company after the sum of N80million (Eighty Million Naira) is deposited for the vessel and issuance of post-dated cheque covering the balance sum of N60million (Sixty Million Naira).

Upon the payment of the initial amount, the vessel was handed over to his company, and it was agreed if by April 1, 2014 he fails to pay the balance the vessel should be returned.

However, on presentation of Orji's cheque in bank, it was dishonoured on the grounds of insufficient funds.

Efforts made to recover the vessel or money proved abortive.

However, the defence counsel, Erikefe prayed the court to grant the accused person bail.

Justice Onojovwo, granted the accused person bail in the sum of N5million (Five Million Naira), and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be resident within Warri or Effurun jurisdiction with a landed property to be verified by the bailiff of the court.

The judge ordered the accused person to be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of his bail.

The matter was adjourned to March 22, 2016 for trial to commence.