The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Theophilus Oluwasegun Jacob and his company, Jito Marine Support Limited, in court for alleged issuance of dud cheque.
In a Monday statement, the EFCC said its Port Harcourt Zonal Command arraigned the defendants before Justice S .H. Aprioku of the Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Thursday, October 26.
The EFCC said Jacob’s trial started when a petitioner alleged that the defendant, as the Managing Director of Jito Marine Support Limited, signed a written agreement with the petitioner to hire a barge for ten days at an agreed rate of N260,000 per day.
Jacob was said to have made a part payment and allegedly issued several post-dated cheques to the petitioner, which upon presentation were dishonoured.
The anti-graft commission disclosed that the defendants were arraigned on eight-count charges bordering on issuance of dud cheque, contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act, Cap. DII, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 1(1) (a) (i) of the same Act.
One of the count charges reads: “Theophilus Oluwasegun Jacob and Jito Marine Support Limited (RC 933729), on or about the 25th day of January, 2023, in Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, issued to Water House Marine & Logistics Nigeria Limited, a Zenith Bank Cheque No. 00000842, which when presented for payment, was returned unpaid, as your said Account No. 1012845638 was unfunded”
Another count charge reads: “Theophilus Oluwasegun Jacob and Jito Marine Support Limited (RC 933729), on or about the 25th day of January 2023, in Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, issued to Water House Marine & Logistics Nigeria Limited, a Zenith Bank Cheque No. 00000837, which when presented for payment, was returned unpaid, as your said Account No. 1012845638 was unfunded.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, E.K. Bakam, prayed the court for a trial date.
Counsel to the defendants, F.O. Omosigho did not oppose the prayers of the prosecution but prayed the court to grant his client bail to enable him to prepare for trial.
Justice Aprioku granted the defendants bail in the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like sum.
The court ruled that the sureties must be civil servants with the River State Government and not below grade level 14 and must be resident in Port Harcourt.
The court adjourned the matter to December 7, and 8, 2023, for commencement of trial.