Businessman Threatens To Drag Ebonyi Lawmaker To EFCC Over Alleged N1m Dud Cheque

An Abakaliki businessman, one Mr. Victor Ogbonna on Thursday threatened to drag a Member Representing Onicha West State Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly; Hon. Valentine Okike to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged issuance of N1million dud cheque in partial satisfaction of his N6 million debt to him.

Mr. Ogbonna, who spoke through his counsel, Aja .N. Aja said he would soon approach the EFCC to investigate the alleged fraudulent act of the lawmaker.

In a petition dated August 15, 2016 addressed to Okike signed by Ogbonna’s counse, and made available to newsmen alleged that Okike issued him two separate cheques of Five hundred thousand Naira each on May 30 and June 30, 2016 but it was returned unpaid three times due to insufficient funds to carry out the obligation.

“We act for and on the instruction of Victor Ogbonna (hereafter called our client). It is our brief that sometime in May and June 2016, you caused to be issued and did in fact issue two cheques totaling the sum of N1, 000, 000 (one Million) to our client in partial satisfaction of a debt of N6, 000, 000 (six million naira) you owehim”.

“Specifically, on the 3oth of May 2016, you issued to our client a Zenith Bank Cheque with number 10452815 in the sum of N500, 000 (Five hundred thousand naira).

You subsequently gave our client another Zenith Bank Cheque with number 10452816 and dated 30th June, 2016 in the sum of N500,000(five hundred thousand naira)”.

“Both instruments were returned unpaid three times as you had insufficient funds to meet theobligation”, the letter read.

Meanwhile, Hon Okike who denied ever issuinganybody a dud cheque describing the allegation as baseless and plot by hisadversaries to impugn his integrity and reputation.

The Former Deputy Speaker of the State Houseof Assembly however confirmed receipt of a letter of demand of debt from one Barr Aja.

According to him; “Let me make myself clear, I did not give any dud cheque to anybody. And I do not owe the said person. I received a letter of demand which was sent through Courier service, DHL”.

“I have contacted my lawyers and at the appropriate time, I will speak. Whether the claimant is the one pursuing the matter or he isbeing pushed, I will take it up with anybody who maligns me, Okike threatened”.