The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a businessman before the Ikeja Special Offences Court for the alleged issuance of false documents.

EFCC arraigned Bernard Nzenwa alongside his company, Omega Maritime and Energy Ltd., on a count charge of issuance of false documents.

The defendant, who also answered for the company, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The anti-graft agency alleged that Mr Nzenwa, along with a company and one Oluchi Nzenwa (now at large), issued false documents purported to have emanated from Guaranty Trust Bank.

The EFCC counsel, Gabriel Akaogu, told the court that the defendants, on March 9, 2011, issued a false document titled, “bond for the re-exportation of imported goods delivered without payment of import duty”, which they purported to have emanated from the bank.

Following his not guilty plea, Mr Akaogu prayed the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending the determination of the case.

However, the defence counsel, Clinton Eaezie, in his oral application, prayed the court to grant bail to the defendant, arguing that the defendant was granted administrative bail at the EFCC office and, thus, not a flight risk.

Justice Ramon Oshodi declined the defendant’s bail based on an oral application.

Mr Oshodi, in his short ruling, held that the defence counsel could not furnish the court with the terms and conditions the defendant was granted bail in EFCC custody and did not file a bail application for the defendant.

“This is a court of record. I am not inclined to take the defendant’s oral bail application.

“The defence counsel was not able to furnish the court with the details of the terms of the administrative bail. I cannot grant him an interim condition.

“The defendant is hereby remanded in EFCC custody,” he ruled.

The court also said the counsel could file his client’s bail application before the next adjourned date and subsequently fixed February 17 for trial.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offence is contrary to section 360 (1)(b) and punishable under section 364(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

(NAN)