The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Managing Director of Bennicle Investment Nigeria Limited, Mahwash Luka, over the alleged issuance of two dishonoured cheques valued at ₦20 million.
Luka and Bennicle Investment Nigeria Limited were brought before Justice A.A. Fashola of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi, Abuja, on a two-count charge bordering on the alleged issuance of cheques that were returned unpaid due to insufficient funds.
According to the EFCC, the first count alleges that Luka, while serving as the company’s Managing Director, issued a First City Monument Bank (FCMB) cheque numbered 0024633617 with a face value of ₦10 million to First Bank of Nigeria Plc on November 29, 2023.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the cheque was dishonoured upon presentation because there were insufficient funds in the account, contrary to Section 1(1) of the Dishonoured Cheques Act and punishable under the provisions of the same law.
In the second count, the EFCC alleged that Luka issued another cheque, numbered 60911474, drawn on Sterling Bank and valued at ₦10 million in favour of First Bank of Nigeria Limited.
The prosecution told the court that the cheque was similarly dishonoured when presented for payment due to insufficient funds, an offence also said to contravene the Dishonoured Cheques Act. (The charge sheet states the date as August 29, 2016.)
When the charges were read, Luka pleaded not guilty on behalf of himself and Bennicle Investment Nigeria Limited, paving the way for the matter to proceed to trial.
The court subsequently adjourned proceedings to hear the defendants’ bail application.
At the resumed sitting on Friday, counsel to the defendants, I. Ashom, moved the bail application filed on behalf of the first defendant but informed the court that no separate application had been filed for the company.
He nevertheless urged the court to exercise its discretion and extend bail to both defendants, arguing that Luka, as the Managing Director, adequately represented the interests of the corporate entity.
After considering the application, Justice Fashola admitted both Luka and Bennicle Investment Nigeria Limited to bail in the sum of ₦10 million with one surety.
The court directed that the surety must be a person of reputable character with a verifiable residential address.
Justice Fashola thereafter adjourned the matter until October 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial