KINGSLEY EBERE
A 48-year old man, Johnson Akwuagu, has been arrested and charged for allegedly swindling First Bank of Nigeria PLC by issuing a N20m dud cheque for the money he borrowed from the bank.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at the First Bank branch at Abule Egba area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect went to the Bank and borrowed the money on the condition that he will pay on a specific date. However, when he was duo to refund the money, he issued the bank cheque. But when it was presented at the bank for clearance, it was discovered that there was no sufficient fund in his account.
The matter was reported to the Commissioner of Police Monitoring Unit. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained him for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
During interrogation, he admitted to have borrowed the money, had as well spent it and had no money to refund the bank.
The Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
The charges read:
COUNT 1: “That you, Johnson Akwuagu ‘m’ on 26th day of March, 2023 at Abule Egba Branch, Lagos State in the Lagos Magisterial District, did obtain Twenty Million Naira (N20,000,000.00) only from First Bank of Nigeria, Abule Egba Branch, Lagos State, under a pretence to obtaining credit to yourself, a representation you know to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Johnson Akwuagu ‘m’ on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did obtain N20,000,000.00 only for yourself by means of a United Bank for Africa Cheque dated 22nd day of May, 2024 and named Johnson Akwuagu ‘m’ which was dishonoured when presented on the ground that there was no fund standing to the credit of the drawer of the cheque and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 (b) and punishable under Section 315 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.