Enugu, NIGERIA – The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Ifeanyichukwu Ogbu, the Chief Executive Officer of Ski Hi-Entertainment, over an alleged N16.8 million bounced cheque fraud.
The entertainment executive was docked before Justice Vincent C. Ezeugwu at the Enugu State High Court sitting in Independence Layout on a three-count charge. Okay News reports that the charges center on the issuance of dishonored cheques to the tune of N16,847,000, contrary to the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act of the Federation.
According to the prosecution files, Ogbu’s legal troubles began following a petition by Oby Onwuakor, a hospitality manager, who alleged that the CEO made luxury hotel reservations for members of three Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs. After the athletic delegations checked out, the accumulated hospitality bill totaled N17,424,600. The defendant reportedly made a baseline cash payment of N1 million and issued three Zenith Bank Plc cheques for the balance, all of which were subsequently rejected by banking institutions due to insufficient funds.
Appearing in court, the defendant pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges preferred against him. Following his plea, EFCC counsel Michael Ikechukwu Ani requested a formal trial date and prayed that the suspect be remanded in a correctional facility. The defense counsel, Chikelu Anya, attempted to make an oral bail application, but Justice Ezeugwu rejected the verbal request, reminding counsel that the court is a court of records. The case was subsequently adjourned to July 16, 2026, for a formal bail application hearing, with the defendant temporarily released into the custody of his attorney to ensure his appearance on the next date.
