The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Chief Executive Officer of Ski Hi-Entertainment, Ifeanyichukwu Ogbu, before the Enugu State High Court over allegations of issuing dud cheques worth N16.847 million.
Ogbu was arraigned before Justice Vincent C. Ezeugwu of the Enugu State High Court sitting at Independence Layout, Enugu, on a three-count charge bordering on the alleged issuance of dishonoured cheques with intent to defraud.
According to the EFCC, one of the charges alleges that Ogbu, trading under the name and style of Ski Hi-Entertainment, issued a Zenith Bank cheque dated August 9, 2024, valued at N5.53million.
The anti-graft agency alleged that when the cheque was presented for payment within the stipulated period, it was returned unpaid due to insufficient funds in the account.
The commission said the alleged offence contravenes Section 1(1)(a) of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act, Cap D11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is punishable under Section 1(1)(b)(i) of the same Act.
When the charges were read in court, Ogbu pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II) Michael Ikechukwu Ani, urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending further proceedings.
Defence counsel, Chikelu Anya, attempted to make an oral application for his client’s bail but was reminded by the court that bail applications must be formally presented because the court is one of record.
Justice Ezeugwu subsequently adjourned the matter until July 16, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application.
The judge, however, released the defendant to his counsel, Anya, with a directive that he must produce Ogbu in court on the next adjourned date.
The EFCC said Ogbu’s prosecution followed a petition by Oby Onwuakor, the Sales and Front Office Manager of Ski Hi-Entertainment, acting on behalf of the hotel’s management.
According to the petitioner, Ogbu allegedly booked accommodation for members of three Nigeria Premier Football League clubs at the hotel, resulting in a total bill of N17.424million after the guests checked out.
The complainant alleged that the defendant paid only N1million and subsequently issued three cheques to settle the outstanding balance.
However, the EFCC said all three cheques were dishonoured by the bank upon presentation because there were insufficient funds in the account, prompting the petition and subsequent investigation that led to Ogbu’s arraignment.
