Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Ifeanyichukwu Ogbu, the Chief Executive Officer of Ski Hi-Entertainment, before the Enugu State High Court on a three-count charge bordering on the issuance of dud cheques to the tune of N16,847,000. Ogbu was brought before Justice Vincent C. Ezeugwu on Monday, 13 July 2026, following his arrest over claims that he issued cheques that were dishonoured due to insufficient funds in his account.
According to the charge sheet, the defendant allegedly issued a Zenith Bank cheque in the sum of N5,530,000 on 9 August 2024, which was dishonoured upon presentation for payment within three months of issuance due to insufficient funds in the account on which the cheque was drawn, an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act, Cap D11, Law of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under Section 1(1)(b)(i) of the same Act. When the charges were read to him, Ogbu pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Michael Ikechukwu Ani, prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Enugu. The defence counsel, Chikelu Anya, attempted to apply orally for his client's bail but was quickly reminded by the court that it is a court of records. Justice Ezeugwu thereafter adjourned the matter to 16 July 2026 for the hearing of the bail application, while the defendant was released to his counsel to be produced in court on the next adjourned date.
The defendant was arrested following a petition by Oby Onwuakor, the Sales/Front Office Manager of Ski Hi-Entertainment, on behalf of its management, alleging that Ogbu made reservations for members of three Nigerian Premier Football League clubs. According to the petitioner, after the expiration of their stay in the hotel, the entire bill accumulated to N17,424,600. The defendant, according to Onwuakor, paid only N1,000,000 and issued three cheques which, upon presentation for payment, were dishonoured on the ground of insufficient funds in the account.
The case highlights the persistent challenge of dud cheque offences in Nigeria's business environment, where individuals and companies sometimes issue cheques without sufficient funds, often leading to financial losses for victims and a breach of trust in commercial transactions. The EFCC has consistently warned that the issuance of dud cheques is a criminal offence that attracts severe penalties, including imprisonment, in line with the provisions of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act. As the trial progresses, the court is expected to determine the veracity of the allegations and whether the defendant is liable for the offences charged.
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