The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Command on Thursday, December 1, 2022 arraigned the duo of Judith Oluchi Nwoguete and Joy Atora before Justice M.O. Opara of the State High Court on a 4-count charge bordering on alleged issuance of Dud Cheque and obtaining money under false pretense.
The offence runs contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code Cap c37, laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.
They were accused of diverting their victim’s money for their personal use and, thereafter, presented cheques which were dishonoured by the bank.
One of the charges reads:
“That you, Judith Oluchi Nwoguete
sometime in April, 2021 in Port Harcourt Rivers State, within the jurisdiction
of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of Twenty One
Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N21, 600.000.00) from Ikpo Michael and Joy
Pedro under the false pretense that you had contract for the supply of
consumables to Shell Petroleum Cooperative, Port Harcourt otherwise known as
SPDC Cooperative (Cooplog) which pretense you knew was false and thereby
committed an offense.”
They pleaded “not guilty” to all the counts.
In view of their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, E.K.
Esien-Otu, prayed the court for a trial date and to remand the defendants in
the Correctional Centre.
The defence counsel, C.E. Onyebukwa, however, did not oppose
the prayer of the prosecution, but asked the court to admit his clients to
bail.
Justice Opara granted Nwoguete bail in the sum of Two
Million Naira (N2,000,000.00), with one surety, a Civil Servant on Grade Level
12 who must have a landed property in Port Harcourt; while Atora was granted
bail in the sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000.00) with one surety who must
own a landed property in Port Harcourt.
The case was adjourned till January 26, 2023 for continuation of trial.
0 Comments