The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday it had arraigned a former Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly Kanayo Chris Enemuo and one Alex Okafor for Advance Fee Fraud, popularly known as 419.
It said the two accused persons were put on trial on Thursday before Justice. I.N Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Awka, Anambra State on a five count charge.
The charges border on conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N4,245,000.00 (four million naira).
Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the development in a statement in Abuja, saying: “the offence is contrary to section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.
“Enemuo, a former speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly and former Commissioner of Lands, Survey and Urban Planning allegedly obtained the said sum under the pretext that he is the rightful owner of plot Os/9, Iyagu Housing Estate.
“Enemuo, in an alleged abuse of his position as a public servant, issued documents purportedly emanating from the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Planning to mask his fraudulent scheme.
“One of the charges reads: That you, Barrister Kanayo Chris Enemuo, Alex Okafor sometime in February 2013 at Awka, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N4,000,000.00 (four million naira) from one Mr. Anthony Okonkwo when you sold to him a plot of land at plot Os/9 Iyagu Housing Estate, Awka, Anambra State under the false pretence that the said plot of land belongs to you, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(a) the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and Punishable under section 1(3)of the same Act”.
“The accused persons pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges read to them.
“In view of their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, Simon M. Ibekute, asked the court for a trial date.
“In response, counsel to the defendants, Don N. Ezeani, prayed the court to grant his clients bail.
“After listening to both counsel, Justice Oweibo granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N5 million each and one surety each in like sum.
“The sureties must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the Court with Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and their addresses must also be verified.
“The accused persons are to be remanded in EFCC custody pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.
The case was adjourned to May 3 and 4, 2016 for hearing.
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