EFCC arraigns Ski Hi-Entertainment CEO over alleged N16.8m dud cheque fraud

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 the alleged issuance of dud cheques valued at N16.847 million.

Ogbu was arraigned by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC before Justice Vincent C. Ezeugwu of the Enugu State High Court, sitting at Independence Layout, on a three-count charge bordering on the issuance of dishonoured cheques.

According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly issued three Zenith Bank cheques amounting to N16.847 million, which were dishonoured upon presentation due to insufficient funds.

One of the charges alleged that Ogbu, trading as Ski Hi-Entertainment, on August 9, 2024, issued a Zenith Bank cheque worth N5.53 million with intent to defraud. The cheque was returned unpaid when presented within the statutory period because there were insufficient funds in the account, an offence punishable under the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II), Michael Ikechukwu Ani, urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending trial.

Defence counsel, Chikelu Anya, sought to make an oral application for bail but was reminded by the court that bail applications must be formally filed, as the court is one of record.

Justice Ezeugwu subsequently adjourned the matter until July 16, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and released the defendant to his counsel with an undertaking that he would be produced in court on the adjourned date.

The EFCC said the prosecution followed a petition submitted by Oby Onwuakor, the Sales and Front Office Manager of Ski Hi-Entertainment, on behalf of the company’s management.

According to the petitioner, Ogbu made hotel reservations for members of three Nigeria Premier Football League clubs, resulting in accommodation bills totaling N17.424 million after the teams completed their stay.

The commission alleged that the defendant paid only N1 million and issued three cheques to settle the outstanding balance. However, when the cheques were presented for payment, they were dishonoured because of insufficient funds in the account.