Jito Marine Support Limited, MD face charges over dud cheque issuance

The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought Theophilus Oluwasegun Jacob and his company, Jito Marine Support Limited, before Justice S.H. Aprioku of the State High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. They are facing charges related to the issuance of fraudulent checks.

On Thursday, October 26, 2023, Theophilus Oluwasegun Jacob was formally charged with eight counts of issuing fraudulent checks, in violation of Section 1(1)(a) of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act, Cap. DII, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. This offense is punishable under Section 1(1)(a)(i) of the same Act.

One of the charges specifies that “Theophilus Oluwasegun Jacob and Jito Marine Support Limited (RC 933729), on or about the 25th day of January, 2023, in Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, issued Zenith Bank Cheque No. 00000842 to Water House Marine & Logistics Nigeria Limited. When presented for payment, the check was returned unpaid due to insufficient funds in Account No. 1012845638.”

Another count charge similarly states that “Theophilus Oluwasegun Jacob and Jito Marine Support Limited (RC 933729), on or about the 25th day of January 2023, in Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, issued Zenith Bank Cheque No. 00000837 to Water House Marine & Logistics Nigeria Limited. Again, the check was returned unpaid due to insufficient funds in Account No. 1012845638.”

The defendants entered pleas of not guilty to the charges when they were presented.

In response to their pleas, the prosecution counsel, E.K. Bakam, requested a trial date from the court.

Counsel for the defendants, F.O. Omosigho, did not oppose the prosecution’s request but asked the court to grant bail to his client to facilitate trial preparation.

Justice Aprioku granted the defendants bail in the amount of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira only), and required two sureties to post bail in the same amount. These sureties must be civil servants employed by the River State Government, with a grade level not below 14, and they must be residents of Port Harcourt. The court adjourned the matter to December 7 and 8, 2023, for the commencement of the trial.

The case against Jacob began when a petitioner alleged that, in his capacity as the Managing Director of Jito Marine Support Limited, he signed a written agreement to rent a Barge for ten days at an agreed daily rate of N260,000.00 (Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira) per day. The petitioner claimed to have received a partial payment and several post-dated checks from Jacob, which were subsequently dishonored upon presentation.