By Kevwe Ebireri

The proprietor of Deo Gratias International School in Abuja, George Odabi ,has been dragged before Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a three- count charge bordering on issuance of dud cheques and breach of trust.

The accused person is said to have sometime in September, 2013 received over N40 million loan from one Egbunola Ogungbesan for the renovation of his school but reneged on his promise to pay back.

Rather, he allegedly issued seven post-dated Zenith Bank cheques amounting to N21 million as part payment of the loan but they were dishonoured upon presentation due to insufficient funds in his account.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him in court.

Upon the plea of the accused, prosecuting counsel, Hussaina Gambo asked the court to fix a date for trial, but the defence counsel, Joe Onyekwere, prayed the court to grant the accused person bail as the offence was bailable.

Justice Kekemeke granted the accused bail in the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like sum.  One of the sureties must be a level 15 officer.

The case was later adjourned to May 8, 2014 for trial.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Dr George Odabi, being the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Deo Gratias International School Limited sometime in September, 2013 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, with knowledge that you had insufficient funds in your account, issued to one Egbunola Ogungbesan a Zenith Bank cheque dated 30th September, 2013 with account name Deo Gratias International Limited for the sum of N9, 000, 000…”

The offence committed is punishable under Section 1(1) (b) (i) of the Dishonoured Cheques Offences Cap D11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria Act 2007.”