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.
Ogbu appeared before Justice Vincent C. Ezeugwu on a three-count charge bordering on allegedly issuing cheques that were returned unpaid due to insufficient funds.
According to the EFCC, one of the charges alleged that the entertainment executive issued a Zenith Bank cheque worth ₦5.53 million in August 2024, which was later dishonoured when presented for payment because there were insufficient funds in the account.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following his plea, EFCC prosecutor Michael Ikechukwu Ani asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The defence counsel, Chikelu Anya, made an oral application for bail, but the court directed that a formal application be filed.
Justice Ezeugwu subsequently adjourned the matter until July 16, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and released the defendant to his lawyer, who is expected to produce him in court on the next adjourned date.
According to the EFCC, the case stemmed from a petition filed by the management of Ski Hi-Entertainment, alleging that Ogbu booked accommodation for members of three Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs, leaving behind a hotel bill of ₦17.42 million.
The commission alleged that after paying ₦1 million, Ogbu issued three cheques to cover the outstanding balance, but the cheques were later dishonoured because the account lacked sufficient funds.
Source: EFCC.
