The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of Kubiat Jones, Managing Director of Petroline Global Solutions Limited, on two counts of issuance of dud cheque to the tune of N7.034 million.

In 2012, Jones and his company, Petroline Global Solutions Limited allegedly issued two separate cheques valued at N3,500,000 and N3,534,172.63 to its client, Nourddine Hachhouch, an expatriate from Morocco, which upon presentation for payment were dishonoured due to insufficient funds in the account.

The offence contravenes Section 1 (1) (b) of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act 2004 LFN and punishable under Section 1 (1) (b) (i) (ii) of the same Act.

In proof of its case, the EFCC called three witnesses and tendered exhibits.

However, Jones jumped bail in the course of the trial and was evasive. His long absence in court frustrated the continuation of the trial until the coming into effect of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which empowers the court to go on with a criminal matter in the absence of the accused person after two adjournments without reasonable explanation from the defendant.

At the close of the prosecution’s case on February 15, this year, the court adjourned to March 8 for defence. On the said date, neither the defendant nor his counsel was present in court. Consequently, the defendants were foreclosed and the court ordered for the filing of the final written addresses by counsel.

In her judgment delivered last Friday, Justice Olasumbo Goodluck of a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Jones and his company on the two-count charge preferred against them.

The judge, however reserved their sentencing until when Jones is arrested or surrenders himself to the court in accordance with Section 352 (4) & (5) of the ACJA, 2015, for sentencing.

Update news