EFCC arraigns 2 oil marketers for issuance of N31m dud cheque
EFCC has filed for arraignment of the duo of Mmobuosi Odogwu Banye, a.k.a. Dozy, and Collins Chionuma before a Lagos High Court.
Scheduled appearance at the court on Thursday was stalled due to the absence of the second defendant.
The suspects were to be arraigned on an 8-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretense and issuance of dud cheque to the tune of N31,055,000.
Banye, Chief Executive Officer, Tingo Mobile, alongside Chionuma, who is now at large, allegedly conspired to obtain Automated Gas Oil (Diesel) by false pretence from the complainants, Admuran Integrated Resources and Damus Global Oil & Gas Service Limited.
The 1st defendant was also said to have issued First City Monument Bank cheques to the tune of N31m to Admuran Integrated Resources Limited as purported payment for the diesel that was delivered to Tingo Mobile.
However, the cheques were dishonoured and returned unpaid when they were presented, as there was insufficient fund in the account.
At Thursday’s proceedings, the prosecution counsel, A.A Adedayo, informed the court that the 2nd defendant was absent in court.
The prosecution counsel, therefore, asked for a short date to amend the charge so that the 1st defendant could take his plea.
The accused had been granted administrative bail, after they were arrested in April and August 2017.
However, the second defendant, Chionuma, jumped the administrative bail granted him and has since been on the run.
Investigations revealed that Chionuma, also a Director of Tingo Mobile, leased the sub-station, where products were alleged to be off-loaded.
Justice Dada adjourned the case to February 28, 2018.
