By RhemDy News
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, arraigned Mr Mahwash Benedict Luka and Bennicle Investment Nigeria Limited before Justice A.A. Fashola of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Jabi, on a two-count charge bordering alleged issuance of dishonoured cheques.
In the first count, Luka, the Managing Director of Bennicle Investment Limited was alleged to have issued a First City Monument Bank Plc cheque with number 0024633617 with the face value of N10 million to First Bank Nigeria Plc, on November 29, 2023.
The anti-corruption agency told the court that the cheque was dishonoured when presented due to insufficient funds, an offence, the EFCC said was contrary to Section 1(1) of the Dishonored Cheques Act and punishable under Section 1(i) (ii) of the same Act.”
Also in count two of the charges, the defendant, on August 29, 2016 issued a Sterling Bank Plc Cheque with number 60911474, valued at N10 million to First Bank Nigeria Limited, which was also dishonoured when presented due to insufficient funds in contravention of Section 1(1) of the Dishonored Cheques Act and punishable under Section 1(i) (i) of the same Act.
The 1st defendant, Luka, on behalf of himself and Bennicle Investment Nigeria Limited pleaded not guilty to the two charges with they were read.
The matter was subsequently adjourned for hearing of the bail application
At the resumed sitting, on Friday, counsel to the defendants, I. Ashom, moved the bail application filed on behalf of the 1st defendant but informed the court that no separate bail application had been filed for the 2nd defendant.
He, however, urged the court to exercise its discretion and grant bail to both defendants, noting that the 1st defendant is the managing director of the 2nd defendant company.
Ruling on the applications, Justice Fashola granted bail to both defendants in the sum of N10 million with one surety who must be a person of reputable character with a verifiable address.
The matter was thereafter adjourned till October 22, 2026, for commencement of trial.
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