01 Februaro 2013, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned the Internal Security Committee Chairman of the House of Representatives, Hon Aliyu Gebi, before an Abuja High Court for issuing 13 different dud cheques amounting to N120.5 million.
The EFCC alleged that Gebi who is a Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) member representing Bauchi federal constituency obtained a total of N120.5 million credit from Musty Petroleum Limited.
Gebi offered to pay the credit by issuing 13 different United Bank for Africa PLC cheques which were all dishonoured on presentation for payment within three months from the dates on the cheques on the grounds that there was no sufficient funds in his Craft Technologies Ltd firm accounts to absorb any of the cheques.
The commission held that Gebi’s offence was punishable under section l (b) (i) of the Dishonoured Cheque (offences) Act, 2004 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. Gebi, however, pleaded not guilty to the 13-count charge brought against him by the anti-graft agency.
Gebi’s lawyer, Mr B.A. Oyefeso applied for bail on the grounds that the accused person had been on administrative bail.
Oyefeso further stated that since the accused had not abused his bail condition which involved the deposit of his international passport, he should be allowed to walk freely.
EFCC’s lawyer, Mohammed Bello, did not object to Gebi’s bail application, but that a more stringent condition was attached in view of the severity of the offence.
But Justice Abba Bello Mohammed insisted that the accused person be allowed to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted him by the anti-graft agency.
“The EFCC was aware of the seriousness of the offence committed by the accused person before granting him an administrative bail on the light terms and condition,’’ Justice Mohammed said.
The EFCC 13-count charge reads in part, “That you, Hon. Aliyu Gebi being the owner and sole signatory of Craft Technologies Ltd and Craft Technologies Ltd on or about January 11, 2012 at Abuja did obtain credit by issuing a UBA Plc cheque No. 00091852 in the sum of N10 million in favour of Musty Petroleum Ltd which when presented within three months was dishonoured on the ground that there was no sufficient funds in the account and thereby committed an offence punishable under section l(b) (i) of the Dishonoured Cheque (offences) Act, 2004 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
“That you, Hon. Aliyu Gebi, being the owner and sole signatory of Craft Technologies Ltd and Craft Technologies Ltd on or about January 12, 2012 at Abuja did obtain credit by issuing a UBA Plc cheque No. 00091853 in the sum of N10 million in favour of Musty Petroleum Ltd which when presented within three months was dishonoured on the ground that there was no sufficient fund in the account and thereby committed an offence punishable under section l(b) (i) of the Dishonoured Cheque (offences) Act, 2004 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
“That you, Hon. Aliyu Gebi, on or about January13, 2012 at Abuja did obtain credit by issuing a UBA Plc cheque No.00119123 in the sum of N500, 000.00 in favour of Musty Petroleum Ltd which when presented within three months was dishonoured on the ground that there was no sufficient fund in the account and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(b) (i) of the Dishonoured Cheque (offences) Act, 2004 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
“That you, Hon. Aliyu Gebi, on or about the January 13, 2012 at Abuja did obtain credit by issuing a UBA Plc cheque No.00119121 in the sum of N10, 000,000.00 (ten million naira) only in favour of Musty Petroleum Ltd which when presented within three months was dishonoured on the ground that there was no sufficient fund in the account and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(b) (i) of the Dishonoured Cheque (offences) Act, 2004 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.’’ Consequently, the court adjourned till February 19, 2013 to commence his trial.