BY KEHINDE ALABI
Relief came the way of Lagos businesswoman and socialite, Mrs Oluremi Ebun-Phillips, on Thursday as the Court of Appeal in Lagos nullified her conviction and jail sentence handed down by the Lagos State High Court in December 2024 over allegations of stealing and issuance of dud cheques amounting to N57.69 million involving AYM Shafa Limited.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel headed by Hon. Justice Yargata Nimpar, criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly criminalising what it described as a purely civil dispute between the parties.
The court set aside the judgment earlier delivered by Justice I.O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, which had convicted Mrs. Phillips and sentenced her to two years’ imprisonment over the disputed cheque transaction.
Justice Nimpar, while delivering the judgment virtually, held that the legal requirements guiding the presentation of a cheque had not been properly followed by officials of AYM Shafa Limited before taking the matter to court.
According to the appellate court, the complainant erred by presenting the cheque to the bank without proper notification from the issuer, as required by law.
“The law provides that the issuance of such a cheque must be properly notified before it is presented at the bank. The appeal succeeds and the conviction is hereby set aside,” Justice Nimpar ruled.
The judgment effectively clears Mrs. Oluremi Ebun-Phillips of all criminal liabilities arising from the case.