A woman, Ngozi Okonkwo, was on Tuesday arraigned in a Grade 1 Area Court in Kado, Abuja, for forging an Access Bank cheque.
Okonkwo, 39, of Jabi Upstairs, Abuja, is facing three counts of joint act, forgery and theft.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Simeon Ibrahim, told the court that Ms. Tayo George of Access Bank, Jabi branch, Abuja, lodged a complaint at the Utako Police Station on June 11.
Ibrahim said that the complainant reported that on the same day, the accused came to the bank to withdraw N10, 000 with a cheque belonging to one Mr. Israel Emen.
He told the court that the complainant put a call through to Mr. Israel Emen, as it was the normal protocol in all banks before any money was released, only for her to get a negative answer.
“Emen said he did not issue any cheque to anybody and that there was a probability that the cheque was stolen,’’ Ibrahim quoted Tayo as saying.
He said when the accused was arrested, she told the police that the cheque was signed and given to her by one George, who was at large.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened provisions of sections 79, 364 and 287 of the Penal Code.
The accused, if found guilty, would be liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than 14 years with the option of fine.
Okonkwo pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to her.
The presiding judge, Malam Abubakar Saddiq, admitted the accused to bail for N10, 000 and adjourned the case until July 21 for further hearing. (NAN)
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