26th July, 2010
A four count criminal charge of obtaining by false pretence and issuing of dud cheque has been filed against a Lagos businessman, Mr. Patrick Ifeanyi Uba and his company Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited.
Also to be charged along with them is Skye Bank Nigeria Plc.
In the criminal charge number FHC/L/228c/10 filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos by the prosecuting counsel, Alex Adama from Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, “it was alleged that Capital Gas and Oil Industry Limited, Mr. Patrick Ifeanyi Uba and Skye Bank Plc on or about 22 April, 2009 in Lagos conspired with one another to commit an offence to wit obtain property by false pretence and there by committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 518 of the criminal code Act Cap C38 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
In one of the counts, Mr. Patrick Uba between 16 October and 30 December 2009 was alleged to have fraudulently issued to Brittainia-u Nigeria Limited the following UBA cheque number 32793308 for N1billion 32793309 for N1billion, 32793310 and 32793311 also for N1billion each, knowing the cheques to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 1(1) (A) of the miscellaneous offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
In count four of the criminal charge, Skye Bank Plc on or about 19 May, 2009 in Lagos was alleged to have presented to Brittainia-u Nigeria Limited a false irrevocable bank guarantee dated 18 May, 2009 and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(2) (A) of the miscellaneous offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Mr. Patrick Uba and his company, Capital Oil were also alleged to have induced Brittania-u Nigeria Limited to deliver to him 30,711.20 metric tonnes of Petroleum Products and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code Act Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Mr. Patrick Uba, his company, Capital Oil and Gas and Skye Bank Plc may appear in court any time from now.
—Akin Kuponiyi