By Francis Wilfred
A prosecution witness on Monday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that a former member of the House of Representatives, Aliyu Ibrahim Gebi, issued him 14 dud cheques valued at ₦125 million in connection with an alleged fraud.Testifying before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, the First Prosecution Witness (PW1), Mustapha Usman, narrated how the cheques issued by the former lawmaker were returned unpaid due to insufficient funds.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, Usman said he met Gebi through Hajiya Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, who was also a member of the House of Representatives at the time.According to the witness, Gebi approached Hon. Aishatu in 2011 for a friendly loan of ₦125 million, with a promise to repay the sum within 60 days. The loan was granted, but Gebi failed to repay at the agreed time.“ At the expiration of the 60 days, he did not fulfil his obligation. That was when I personally met the defendant to demand repayment of the loan,” Usman told the court.
He further stated that while following up on the repayment, Gebi issued him cheques totaling ₦125.5 million. Usman said Gebi also told him he was expecting funds from the United States and requested ₦1 million to purchase a flight ticket.“I gave him ₦500,000 to reduce the risk,” the witness said. Usman explained that some of the cheques were issued from Craft Technology Limited, while others were drawn from Gebi’s personal account. All 14 cheques were issued in favour of his company, Musty Petroleum Limited.“ There were 14 cheques in total, and all were returned unpaid because the accounts were not funded,” he said.
Following the failed attempts to recover the money, Usman said he petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to him, Gebi began making payments only after the petition was filed.“He paid the first ₦20 million and later another ₦34 million. Payments were made in bits until the matter got to court,” Usman testified. He added that the most recent payment was ₦12 million, received about two weeks before the last court sitting on December 18, 2025. However, he disputed Gebi’s claim that the debt had been fully settled at that time.“ When we came to court on December 18, 2025, he said he had finished paying. I told him that was not correct. After checking his records, he paid the outstanding amount the same day,” the witness said.Usman stated that the outstanding balance was ₦10.5 million, which Gebi paid after leaving the courtroom.
During the proceedings, the prosecution tendered a letter of undertaking dated December 19, 2011, which was admitted in evidence and marked Exhibit PW1A. The 14 cheques dated January 12, 2012 were also admitted and marked Exhibits PW1B to PW1XIV. In addition, the petition to the EFCC dated September 13, 2012 was admitted as Exhibit PW1XVI.Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case to January 21, 2026, for continuation of trial. Gebi was initially arraigned on January 29, 2013, before Justice Abba Mohammed of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on a 13-count charge. Following Justice Mohammed’s elevation to the Court of Appeal, the case was reassigned to Justice Onwuegbuzie.
