The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on January 29, arraigned one Alhaji Salisu Sulaiman and his company, Faris Construction Company Limited, before a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja High Court, oresided over by Justice C.N. Orji for an alleged criminal breach of trust and issuance of dud cheque.
The commission oreferred a seven-count charge against the defendants, ibe if which reads, “That you, Alhaji Salisu Suleiman, being the Managing Director of Faris Construction Company Limited and Faris Construction Company Limited, sometimes in August, 2016 in Abuja within the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal Capital Territory did issue a Zenith Bank cheque dated 8th August, 2016 in favour of Alpha Praxis Nigeria Limited in the sum of N10,000,000.00 in settlement of part of the N62,658,999.30 owed Alpha Praxis Nigeria Limited for the supply of Bitumen 60/70, which said cheque when presented for payment within three months of issuance was returned unpaid due to insufficient funds standing to your account and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Dishonored Cheque (Offences) act Cap 102 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and punishable under Section 1 (1) (b) (i) (ii) of the same Act 2007.”
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charge and based on the plea, the prosecuting counsel, Yetunde Alabi, requested for a trial date, and asked the court to the defendant in prison.
But, counsel for the defence, W.Y Mamman, asked the court to graciously admit the defendant the administrative bail he enjoyed earlier from the EFCC, and the one granted to him by Justice Musale who handled the case before.
However, the prosecution counsel told the court the surety who stood for the defendant had withdrawn after Justice Musale was transferred, and it has been difficult to reach him.
Justice Orji thereafter granted the defendants bail in the sum of N2 million each, and one “reasonable” surety, who is a resident in Abuja.
The case was thereafter adjourned to March 17, for hearing.
