The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned a suspect, Solomon Essien, and his company, FWDEVA Nigeria Limited, before Justice Okon A. Okon of the Akwa Ibom State High Court, Uyo, for fraud.
Essien was docked on a three-count charge bordering on issuance of dud cheque and stealing to the tune of N9,970,000, contrary to Section 392 (1) and punishable under Section 399 of the Criminal Code, Vol.2 Cap.38, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2000.
The suspect was earlier arrested by the anti-graft agency on October 18, 2018, following a petition by one Abu Martins alleging that the former contracted him sometime in December 2017 to supply 45,000 litres of diesel to the Akwa Ibom State Government House at the cost of N9,970,000. After the delivery as agreed, the defendant did not only fail to make the payment but also absconded.
The petitioner said when he traced him to his residence at Shelter Afrique Estate, Uyo, the defendant issued two Zenith Bank cheques in the sum of N5.2m and N2m respectively, which were dishonoured at the bank because the account had been closed by the defendant.
One of the charges against Essien read, “That you, Solomon Essien (‘M’), sometime in January, 2018, in Uyo, within the jurisdiction of this court, did fraudulently convert to your own use, the sum of N9,970,000.00 (Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy Thousand Naira), belonging to one Mr. Abu Martins, being payment for the supply of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at the Akwa Ibom State Government House.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, A. S. Abuh, to pray the court for a trial date and remand of the suspect in the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The defence counsel, Dominic Okon, however moved a motion for his bail but was countered by prosecution counsel.
Justice Okon granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5m with one surety in like sum and ordered that he should not be subjected to any form of incarceration or custody, pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned till October 28, 2020, for trial.