The absence of a defence counsel has stalled the trial of Dr. Bassey Etim Ikang, a Deputy Director, in the Office of the Head of Service, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an eight-count charge bordering on issuance of dud cheque and forgery.

Ikang was first arraigned before Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Gudu, on April 11, 2019.

He is alleged to have issued dud cheques of N40 million, N20 million, N18 million and N60 million at different times to one Okenna Oguneche, Managing Director, Fortress Project Limited.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Dr. Bassey Etim Ikang, sometime in 2017 at Abuja, within the judicial division of this Honourable Court, did issue a United Bank of Africa Plc’s Cheque dated 10/07/2017 to Mr Okenna Oguneche, MD Fortress Project Limited in the sum of N60 million as payment for a debt, which upon presentation for payment was returned due to insufficient funds standing to the credit of the account upon which the cheque was drawn and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) Dishonored Cheques (Offences) Act Cap D11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and punishable under Section 1(1)(b)(i) of the same Act.”

At the resumed sitting on June 18, 2019, counsel for the defendant was absent.

Prosecuting counsel, Aisha Ibrahim, expressed concerns noting that the prosecution was very well prepared to go on with the case.

“All our witnesses are from distant places, and we are ready to proceed with this case, moreover, the defence had more than a month to prepare for this case, but failed to comply,” Ibrahim added.

Justice Osho-Adebiyi, however, strongly warned the defence not to employ delay tactics in the case as it would not be tolerated.

“This is the last chance for the defence counsel to be absent before the court,” the trial judge held.

The case has been adjourned to September 17 and 18, 2019.



Media & Publicity

June 18, 2019