Connect with us

News

EFCC Re-Arraigns Lawyer For Alleged N91m Land Fraud In Enugu

Published

on

Kwara Ex-Governor Ahmed

EFCC Re-Arraigns Lawyer For Alleged N91m Land Fraud In Enugu

The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has re-arraigned one Barrister Mike Ikegbunam before Justice M. T. Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N91, 000, 000. 00 (Ninety-one Million Naira).

The defendant, who was previously arraigned on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the same court, (who has now been transferred), pleaded not guilty and was granted bail based on self-recognizance but was asked to deposit his Call to Bar Certificate with the court.

Eereporter.com
Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Mike Ikegbunam on 16th August, 2022 in Umuagu Ozu Village, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud, induced the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions of Nigeria to deliver to you, the sum of N25,000,000.00 (Twenty-five mMillion naira) under the pretence that you are capable of acquiring some portions of land for their members at Umuagu Ndiukwuanu Town in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”.

Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Mike Ikegbunam, on 26th October, 2022 in Umuagu Ozu village, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud, induced the Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institute and Association Institution of Nigeria to deliver to you the sum of N20, 000, 000. 00 (Twenty million Naira) under the pretence that you are capable of acquiring some portions of land for their members at Umuagu Ndiukwuanu town in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”.

Again, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him. In view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Mainforce Adaka Ekwu prayed the court for a trial date, to enable the prosecution to prove its case.

However, defence counsel, S. E. Nnonyelu prayed the court to allow his client to continue to enjoy the earlier bail granted him by the previous judge. The court granted the prayer and adjourned the matter to October 21 and 22, 2026 for commencement of trial.

Kwara Ex-Governor Ahmed

Fraud

Ikegbunam was arrested on July 12, 2023 owing to the claims of the Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institute and Association Institution of Nigeria (SSAUTHRIAI), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi branch, alleging that its members paid N91 Million to him for the purchase of 130 (One hundred and thirty) plots of land at Umuagu, Ozu Ndiukwuanu town, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Investigations showed that the defendant, who has refunded N10, 000, 000. 00 (Ten million Naira) to the Association, allegedly used N16, 500, 000. 00 (Sixteen million, Five hundred thousand Naira), suspected to be part of the money to acquire three plots of land for himself at Dubai estate, phase 2 in Awka, Anambra State.

News

Former Deputy Governor Of Kano Quits ADC, One Month After Joining Party

Published

on

By

ADC National Executive Council

Former Deputy Governor Of Kano Quits ADC, One Month After Joining Party

The ex-deputy governor joined the ADC on April 5, receiving his membership card at a well-attended event in Gwarzo, Kano.

Aminu Gwarzo, former deputy governor of Kano, has resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), exactly a month after joining the party from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Eereporter.com
His move came six days after Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of the state, joined the party on March 30 from the NNPP, the platform on which he contested the 2023 presidential election.

However, on Sunday, Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra, quit the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing “wide-ranging consultations” and uncertainties over the party’s future.

Shortly after, Kwankwaso appealed to his supporters to join the NDC and back his “renewed fight for true democracy” in Nigeria.

In a letter dated May 1, personally signed by him and addressed to the chairman of the ADC ward in Gwarzo LGA, the former deputy governor, widely seen as Kwankwaso’s political ally in the state, announced his resignation from the party.

He said the “decision comes after deep reflection and wide consultations” with his political associates, supporters, and well-wishers across the state.

However, he did not specify his next political destination.

“Recent political developments and the evolving political landscape have made it necessary for me to review my membership in the interest of the people and the future of our state and the nation,” he said.

“My decision is informed by patriotic consideration and the need to pursue a political path that aligns with my vision for good governance, democratic values, and sustainable development of our dear state.”

ADC National Executive Council

ADC

Gwarzo thanked the ADC leadership and members in the state for their cooperation, respect, and support during his time in the party.

“I remain grateful for the opportunity accorded me under the platform of the party. Please accept my highest regards and best wishes,” he added.

African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Aminu Gwarzo
Ex-Kano deputy governor

Continue Reading

News

Court Orders Interim Forfeiture Of Two Vehicles Recovered From Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Lagos

Published

on

By

Court

Court Orders Interim Forfeiture Of Two Vehicles Recovered From Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Lagos

Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday, May 4, 2026, ordered the interim forfeiture of two vehicles linked to suspected internet fraudsters, Christopher Chikudozie Ubammadu and James Femi Joshua.

The vehicles are two grey-coloured Lexus ES 350 cars with registration numbers SMK-774JN and EKY-753JZ.

The judge gave the order, following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, through its counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa.

Eereporter.com
Moving the application for interim forfeiture, Kofarnaisa told the court that it was supported by an affidavit deposed to by Nwike Fortune, an investigating officer with the EFCC.

In the affidavit, Nwike stated that the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Commission received intelligence regarding the activities of suspected internet fraudsters operating in the Apapa area of Lagos State.

He also stated that operatives of the Commission, on January 29, 2026, carried out a sting operation during which several suspects were apprehended and the vehicles were recovered from their residences.

Fortune further stated that since the vehicles were impounded and brought to the Commission’s office, no individual had come forward to claim ownership.

Further investigations, he said, revealed that both vehicles are owned by Ubammadu and Joshua. He added that the suspects allegedly used proceeds of fraudulent activities to acquire the vehicles.

Court

Court

Kofarnaisa, therefore, submitted that the vehicles were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. Justice Owoeye granted the application after considering the evidence presented.

The judge also directed the Commission to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper and ordered any interested party to appear before the court within 14 days to show cause why the vehicles should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria

Continue Reading

News

EFCC Arraigns Man For Alleged N85.5m Land Fraud In Enugu

Published

on

By

EFCC Arraigns Gidado Ibrahim

EFCC Arraigns Man For Alleged N85.5m Land Fraud In Enugu

The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Udemba John Chibuzor before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu.

The defendant was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence to the tune N85, 500, 000. 00 (Eighty-five Million, Five hundred thousand Naira).

Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Udemba John Chibuzor, sometime on the 6th day of December 2024 in Enugu, Enugu State of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit a felony to wit: with intent to defraud, obtained by false pretence the sum of N30, 000, 000. 00 (Thirty million Naira only) from Decent Purch Services & Repairs when you presented yourself as the owner of a property known as “Nitel Staff Quarters” situated at Zik Avenue, Uwani and sold same to them knowing fully well that the said property has been sold to one Mr. Ogbodo Augustine Chimezie, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act. No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”.

Eereporter.com
Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Udemba John Chibuzor, sometime on the 9th day of January 2025 in Enugu, Enugu State of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit a felony to wit: with intent to defraud, obtained by false pretence the sum of N55, 500, 000. 00 (Fifty-five million, Five hundred thousand Naira only) from Decent Purch Services & Repairs when you presented yourself as the owner of a property known as “Nitel Staff Quarters” situated at Zik Avenue, Uwani and sold same to them knowing fully well that the said property has been sold to one Mr. Ogbodo Augustine Chimezie, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act. No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”.

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. In view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Faruk Abdullah prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the Correctional facility.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to June 3, 2026 for trial, while the defendant was remanded at the Correctional facility.

EFCC Arraigns Gidado Ibrahim

EFCC

The defendant was arrested when he allegedly sold a property known as “Nitel Staff Quarters” situated in Zik Avenue in Uwani area of Enugu State to Decent Purch Services & Repairs.

He fraudulently presented himself as the owner of the said property. After collecting N85, 500, 000. 00 for the property from the petitioner, the defendant switched off his phone and became incommunicado.

The petitioner later discovered that the defendant allegedly used the same property to defraud other unsuspecting victims.

Continue Reading

Trending