EFCC Arraigns Entertainment CEO Over Alleged N16.8m Dud Cheque Fraud

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 an alleged N16.847 million dud cheque fraud.

Ogbu was brought before Justice Vincent C. Ezeugwu of the 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 anti-graft agency, one of the charges alleges that the defendant, on August 9, 2024, issued a Zenith Bank cheque worth N5.53 million, which was later returned unpaid due to insufficient funds, an offence said to contravene the provisions of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act.

The EFCC, in a statement issued by its Enugu Zonal Directorate, disclosed that Ogbu pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before the court.

Following the plea, prosecution counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Michael Ikechukwu Ani, urged the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

However, defence counsel, Chikelu Anya, made an oral application for bail, but the court declined to entertain it, reminding counsel that such an application must be properly filed since the court is one of record.

Justice Ezeugwu subsequently adjourned the matter until July 16, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and released the defendant to his counsel, who was directed to produce him in court on the adjourned date.

The case stemmed from a petition filed by Oby Onwuakor, Sales and Front Office Manager of Ski Hi-Entertainment, acting on behalf of the company’s management.

The petitioner alleged that Ogbu booked accommodation for members of three Nigeria Premier Football League clubs, leaving an outstanding hotel bill of N17.424 million after their stay.

Investigators said the defendant allegedly paid N1 million and issued three cheques to offset the balance, but all were dishonoured by the bank because the account lacked sufficient funds, leading to his arrest and subsequent prosecution.