The accused issued a cheque without having an equivalent sum in the account.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Monday arraigned an engineer, Ebong Afia, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, on a one count charge of issuing of a dud cheque of three million naira.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, and the defence counsel, O. Akpokona, informed the court that he had filed an application for bail for the accused and prayed the court to exercise its discretion in favour of his client. He also asked the court to take judicial notice of the fact that the accused is a first time offender, and is currently on EFCC administrative bail.

Prosecution counsel, Odibo Iwebafa, didn’t oppose the bail application, but prayed the court to issue conditions which will ensure the accused is available for trial.

The Judge, Sunday Aladetoyinbo, while adjourning the matter to November 14 for trial, granted the accused bail in the sum of three million naira only, with one surety in like sum. He said the surety must be resident within Abuja and own landed property also within Abuja.