EFCC arraigns two Lebanese over N1.7m scam
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned two Lebanese nationals, Imad Harb and Toni Harb, along with their company; Transparent Construction Nig. Ltd. Before Justice E. N. Oluedo of the State High Court Enugu.
They were accused of conspiring and obtaining the sum of N1,760,000.00(one million seven hundred and sixty thousand Naira only) from a certain Desmond Ogadinma and subsequently issuing a dud cheque that was returned unpaid.
One of the charge against the accused persons reads: “That you, Mr. Imad Harb, Mr. Toni Metri Harb, Transparent Construction Nig, Ltd, sometime in April, 2016, within the jurisdiction of this court, issued a Zenith Bank Cheque No. 1013320363 dated 23rd day of May, 2016 for the sum of One Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira (N1, 760, 000) only payable to Raising Cypon Global Services Limited which when presented for payment within three months, was dishonored on the grand that no sufficient funds were standing to the credit of the account on which the cheque was drawn and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (b) of the dishonored cheque (Offenses) Act, Cap D11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 1(1)(b)(I) of the same Act.
Desmond Ogadinma, the owner of Rasing Cypon Global Services Limited petitioned the EFCC, alleging that Imad and Toni colluded between themselves to deny him payment for the supply of (800) bags of cement at the rate of N2,200.00 (Two Thousand, Two Hundred Naira only) per bag, which amounted to a total sum of N1,760,000.00 (One Million Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira only) which he supplied to them within April this year.
According to him, the suspects issued him a post dated cheque which he presented on the due date, but it returned unpaid due to insufficient fund in the account.
During cross-examination, the accused persons however, denied commiting the crime leveled against them by the anti-graft agency.
Consequently, the defense counsel, Barr. I. O. Ugwu immediately prayed the court to grant the accused persons bail as the offence was bailable.
However, the presiding Judge, Justice E. N. Oluedo instantly rejected the application on the grounds that it was not properly filed, and as such, needed time to see the application before the defense can move the motion for bail to be considered.
But before adjourning to December 1, 2016, for hearing of the bail application, the Judge ordered that the accused persons be remanded in EFCC custody.
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