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 dishonoured cheques valued at N16.847 million. The EFCC dud cheque case was heard before Justice Vincent Ezeugwu at the Enugu State High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, where the defendant faced a three-count charge related to the alleged issuance of dud cheques.
According to the EFCC, one of the charges alleges that Ogbu, trading as Ski Hi-Entertainment, issued a Zenith Bank cheque worth N5.53 million on August 9, 2024, with intent to defraud. The commission stated that when the cheque was presented for payment within the legally required period, it was returned unpaid because there were insufficient funds in the account.
Ogbu pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him. Following the plea, EFCC counsel, Assistant Commander Michael Ikechukwu Ani, asked 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, made an oral application seeking bail for his client. However, Justice Ezeugwu reminded the defence that the High Court is a court of record and directed that the bail request be properly presented. The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until July 16, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application. Pending the hearing, the court released the defendant to his counsel, who was ordered to produce him on the next adjourned date.
The EFCC dud cheque prosecution followed a petition submitted by Oby Onwuakor, Sales and Front Office Manager of Ski Hi-Entertainment, on behalf of the hotel’s management. According to the anti-graft agency, the petition alleged that Ogbu booked accommodation for members of three Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs, with the total hotel bill amounting to N17.424 million after their stay.
The commission claimed that the defendant initially paid N1 million before issuing three cheques to settle the outstanding balance. However, the EFCC alleged that all three cheques were dishonoured when presented for payment because the account lacked sufficient funds. The commission said the case remains before the Enugu State High Court for further proceedings.
