The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has arraigned Theophilus Oluwasegun Jacob and his company; Jito Marine Support Limited before Justice S .H. Aprioku of the State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for alleged issuance of dud cheque.
He was arraigned on Thursday, October 26, 2023, on eight – count charges bordering on issuance of dud cheque, contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act, Cap. DII, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 1(1) (a) (i) of the same Act.
One of the count charges reads: “Theophilus Oluwasegun Jacob and Jito Marine Support Limited (RC 933729), on or about the 25th day of January, 2023, in Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, issued to Water House Marine & Logistics Nigeria Limited, a Zenith Bank Cheque No. 00000842, which when presented for payment, was returned unpaid, as your said Account No. 1012845638 was unfunded”
Another count charge reads: “Theophilus Oluwasegun Jacob and Jito Marine Support Limited (RC 933729), on or about the 25th day of January 2023, in Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, issued to Water House Marine & Logistics Nigeria Limited, a Zenith Bank Cheque No. 00000837, which when presented for payment, was returned unpaid, as your said Account No. 1012845638 was unfunded”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, E .K. Bakam, prayed the court for a trial date.
Counsel to the defendants, F .O. Omosigho did not oppose the prayers of the prosecution, but prayed the court to grant his client bail to enable him prepare for trial.
Justice Aprioku granted the defendants bail in the sum of N10, 000,000.00(Ten Million Naira only) and two sureties in like sum. Sureties must be civil servants with the River State Government and not below grade level 14 and above and must be resident in Port Harcourt. He adjourned the matter to December 7, and 8, 2023, for commencement of trial.
Jacob’s trial started when a petitioner alleged that the defendant, as the Managing Director of Jito Marine Support Limited, signed a written agreement with the petitioner to hire a Barge for ten days at an agreed rate of N260,000.00 (Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira) per day. He made a part payment and allegedly issued several post dated cheques to the petitioner, which upon presentation were dishonoured.
