Journalists Assaulted as EFCC Arraigns Ex-Bank Manager

Written by Duncan Wednesday, 14 October 2009

A journalist with a news magazine, Nigeria News Maker,  Jesukri Imoni,  was yesterday slapped by a relation of an accused at the premises of the  Ikeja High Court in Lagos  while a  photo journalist with The Guardian, Gabriel Ikhahon,  was also threatened.

The incident happened when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday  arraigned a former branch manager of a first generation bank,  Mr. Alex Nkenchor,  and one, Ebi Odeigah of GMT Securities and Assets Nigeria Limited over N860 million fraud.

The duo,  with the company, were arraigned on a 10-count charge, bordering  on issuing a dishonored cheque, conspiracy to steal and stealing, before Justice Morenike Obadina of the Ikeja High Court.

According to the charge sheet presented by the prosecutor, Mr. Ben Ubi, the accused persons committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) (a) of the Dishonoured cheques (offences) Act, Cap. D11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. And Section 516 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C17 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003î.

The defendants who pleaded not guilty to all the charges were remanded at the Ikoyi Prison while bail hearing was fixed for October 20, 2009. Trial on the matter will commence on November 12, 2009.