Trader docked for alleged issuance of N4m dud cheque

A 39-year-old trader, Mary Ayodele, was arraigned on Wednesday before a Kaduna Magistrates’ Court for allegedly issuing a N4 million dud cheque to Heritage Microfinance Bank in Kaduna.

The defendant, who resides at Narayi High Cost, Kaduna, was facing a three-count charge of stealing, obtaining under false pretences and issuing of a dud cheque.

The prosecutor, Insp Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 2.

Leo said that sometime in 2024, the defendant went to the complainant’s office, Heritage Microfinance Bank Ltd, Kaduna branch, to apply for a loan of N4 million.

“The bank gave the loan to the defendant which she was supposed to refund on April 6, but she failed.

“On May 2, the defendant went to the bank and issued a dud Diamond Bank cheque No. 14334195 for N4 million.

“The complainant called her cell phone but it was not reachable, hence, the complainant reported the case to the police.

“”During investigations, the police discovered that the defendant used fake home address and guarantors’ addresses during her documentation for the processing of the loan.

“The defendant ran to an unknown destination but was later arrested by the police,” he said.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 217, 312 and 313 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

It was reported that Section 217 prescribes a five-year imprisonment for stealing.

Section 308 also says that any person who obtains money under false pretences is liable to15 years’ imprisonment.

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Emmanuel said that the sureties must produce evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Kaduna State Government.

He also said that the sureties must produce genuine means of livelihood, be residents of Kaduna State, and should have their addresses verified by the court’s prosecutor.

Emmanuel adjourned the case till June 18 for hearing.