Witness testifies against bizman over alleged fraud

By Brown Chimeze

Chief Bartholomew Achukwu, a prosecution witness and complainant in the alleged fraud charge against a businessman , Chief Alex Okafor, has testified against the defendant before the Federal High Court, Lagos.

The defendant, Chief Okafor is currently standing trial before the court on a six-charge preferred against him by the police.

One of the charge against Chief Okafor read: “That you Alex Paul Chukwuemeka Okafor, being the Managing Director/Chief Operational Officer of  Bonanza Nigeria Limited between the month of January and February 2013 at Ebute-Metta area of Lagos, within  the Federal High Court Judicial Division , with intent to defraud , did issued Fidelity Bank postdated cheque number 14886213, dated December 20, 2013 in the sum of Twenty Five Thousand Naira in favour Bathmaco Resources Limited, for the payment of goods which you brought from Mr. Chief Bartholomew Achukwu on credit but  on presentation at the bank , was marked rejected for lack of funding or insufficient fund and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(B) of the dishonoured cheque offence Act Vol. 5 of the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.”

The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

At the last hearing of the case, the complainant,  Achukwu was led in evidence in chief by the police  prosecutor,  J.I. Eboseremen.

The witness in his evidence in chief narrated  how in six different  occasions, received  postdated cheques, from Okafor for the goods he bought from him.

Achukwu said the cheques were presented in bank but it were rejected.

He said after several attempt  to get his money from the defendant failed , he  reported the matter to one late chief Dominic, a brother to the defendant. Thereafter, he promised to pay him defaulted again. The witness revealed that it was  the late Dominic that advised him to take a legal step to recover his money from the defendat.

After the witness testimony, the defendant’s lawyer, Nwosu sought for adjournment  to enable him to prepare  for the cross examination  of the witness.

Subsequently, the trial judge, Justice J. Bogoro adjourn further in the case till November 5, 2024.