By Peace Erewunmi

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 ₦16.847 million fraud involving the issuance of dishonoured cheques. The case was heard before Justice Vincent C. Ezeugwu at the Enugu State High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu.

According to the EFCC, Ogbu was docked on a three-count charge bordering on the issuance of dud cheques with intent to defraud. One of the charges alleges that on August 9, 2024, he issued a Zenith Bank cheque worth ₦5.53 million, which was later dishonoured due to insufficient funds in the account. The anti-graft agency said the alleged offence contravenes the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act, Cap D11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

When the charges were read in court, the defendant pleaded not guilty. Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Michael Ikechukwu Ani, asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant pending trial.

Defence counsel, Chikelu Anya, made an oral application for bail. However, Justice Ezeugwu declined to entertain the application immediately, noting that the court is one of record and that the appropriate procedure should be followed. The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until July 16, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application.

Rather than ordering immediate remand in a correctional facility, the court released the defendant to his counsel with a directive that he must be produced in court on the next adjourned date.

The EFCC stated that Ogbu’s arrest followed a petition submitted by Oby Onwuakor, the Sales and Front Office Manager of Ski Hi-Entertainment, acting on behalf of the hotel’s management. According to the petition, Ogbu booked accommodation for members of three Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs, resulting in a hotel bill of ₦17.424 million after the teams checked out.

Investigators alleged that the defendant paid only ₦1 million and issued three cheques to settle the outstanding balance. However, when the cheques were presented for payment, they were all dishonoured because there were insufficient funds in the account. The EFCC said this prompted the petition and subsequent investigation that led to the charges.

The case will continue on July 16, 2026, when the court is expected to hear the defendant’s bail application and determine the next stage of the trial. Until then, the allegations remain before the court, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in accordance with the law.