The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Managing Director of Bennicle Investment Nigeria Limited, Mahwash Benedict Luka, alongside the company over an alleged N200 million dud cheque fraud.
Key Highlights
- The EFCC arraigned Mahwash Benedict Luka, Managing Director of Bennicle Investment Nigeria Limited, and the company over an alleged ₦200 million dud cheque fraud.
- The defendants appeared before the FCT High Court in Jabi, Abuja, on a two-count charge of issuing dishonoured cheques.
- The EFCC alleged that Luka issued ₦10 million FCMB and ₦10 million Sterling Bank cheques that were returned due to insufficient funds.
- Luka, representing himself and the company, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
- The court granted bail to both defendants in the sum of ₦10 million with one surety of reputable character and a verifiable address.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice A.A. Fashola of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Jabi, Abuja, on a two-count charge bordering on the alleged issuance of dishonoured cheques.
According to the EFCC, Luka, while serving as the company’s managing director, allegedly issued cheques that were returned unpaid due to insufficient funds.
One of the charges alleges that on November 29, 2023, he issued a First City Monument Bank (FCMB) cheque worth N10 million to First Bank Nigeria Plc, which was dishonoured when presented because there were insufficient funds in the account.
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The second count accuses him of issuing a Sterling Bank cheque valued at N10 million on August 29, 2016, to First Bank Nigeria Limited, which was also dishonoured for the same reason.
Luka, who represented both himself and Bennicle Investment Nigeria Limited in court, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the resumed hearing on Friday, defence counsel I. Ashom moved a bail application on behalf of Luka and urged the court to also grant bail to the company, noting that the first defendant is its Managing Director.
Justice Fashola granted bail to both defendants in the sum of N10 million with one surety of reputable character who must have a verifiable address.
The case was adjourned until October 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
