By Abdulwahab Abdulah, Onozure Dania & Micheal Oladipo

For allegedly stealing a sum of N36 milion belonging to Emeka Nwajiuba, a legal practitioner, Mr. Odi Okereke Ajike was on Tuesday arraigned before an Ikeja High Court.

Ajike, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC before Justice Lateefa Bisola Okunnu was said to have swindled a fellow lawyer,Nwajiuba by issuing a dud cheque to pay for the money entrusted into his care and his company.

Ajike, however pleaded not guilty to the offences and was ordered to be remanded in prison custody by Justice Okunnu.

The lawyer who  was arraigned on a three-count charge of stealing, fraud and fraudulent conversion, was alleged to have “issued a dud cheque valued N4million on January 21, 2012  with intent to defraud  Emeka Nwajiuba.”

The money was said to have been entrusted in his care and that of his company, Natuzzi Nigeria Limited by the owner,  Barrister Emeka Nwajiuba for safe keeping.

The EFCC accused the lawyer and Natuzzi Nigeria Limited of conspiracy to steal contrary to section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Vol 2 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

The alleged fraudulent conversion of the N36 million, according to the EFCC was carried out through his (Ajike)Diamond Bank account at Victoria Island.

The offence was contrary  to Section 8 (b) and (c) of the Criminal Code Law Cap C 17  Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

The anti graft agency alleged that the accused person issued the N4million cheque to Emeka Nwajiuba knowing he has insufficient fund in his account.
The agency said that the issuance of the dud cheque was contrary to section (1) (1) of the Dishonored Cheque Act, Cap D11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Counsel to the accused person, Mr. Chinedu Ikegbule however pleaded that the court should use its discretion by remanding the accused person in the custody of the EFCC pending trial.

Ukebelu who told the court that he had filed the necessary application for bail also applied for bail for his client.

Justice Lateefa Okunnu in her ruling said the accused person be kept in prison custody in line with the due process of the law.

Justice Okunnu thereafter fixed June 1, 2012 for argument on bail and September 18, 2012 for commencement of trial.