Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Olabisi Ogungbesan, has charged a 59-year-old Professor, Joe Diogu, before a Lagos State High Court for allegedly issuing a dud cheque worth N134 million.
It was gathered that the defendant entered into an agreement with the complainant to take over an estate being developed by the complainant on behalf of the Abia State Government.
Based on the agreement of parties, the complainant was alleged to have released to the defendant, the original certificate of occupancy in respect of the land, while the defendant issued the complainant a UBA. cheque in the name of Joe Dex Nigeria Enterprises Limited, the company which he (Prof. Diogu) was a Managing Director.
In the charge, the defendant was alleged to have “On or about May 26, 2009, at Lagos Island, in the Lagos Judicial Division, issued a UBA. Plc Owerri branch cheque for the sum of N134.1million, knowing that there was an insufficient fund in your account.”
Prof. Diogu’s counsel, Kenneth Obisike, has, meanwhile, challenged the competences of the charges preferred against him, praying the court to quash same.
According to the charge, the alleged offence is contrary to section 1(1) (b) of the Dishonoured Cheques (offences) Acts No. 44 of 1977. Meanwhile, trial judge in the matter, Justice Yemi Candide-Johnson has adjourned till February 21, 2012 for of trial.
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