The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 arraigned two suspected fraudsters, Azuka Andra Okeke and Ibrahim Abukakar, before Justice Sunday E. Aladetoyinbo of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on a four-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence.
Okeke and Abubakar allegedly fraudulently conspired to collect the sum of N8m (Eight Million Naira), in instalments, from one Eunice Chibuzor Uchendu, with a promise to secure for her, some plots of land at Kabusa, Galadimawa and Mpape districts of Abuja .
Though, the complainant was issued acknowledgement papers, she began to be agitated when the land could not be secured.
All the efforts of the victim to get a refund of her money from the accused were unsuccessful.
One of the counts reads:
‘‘That you Azuka Andra Okeke and Ibrahim Abubakar on or about 14th June, 2011, in the Abuja Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of Three Million from Mrs. Eunice Chibuzor Uchendu of Plot 98, Gidado Idris Street, Wuye, Abuja, under the false pretence that same was payment for a plot of land at Galadimawa, FCT, which presentation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) and punishable under section (3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act 2006.’’
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In view of their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, I.G. Odibo, prayed the court for a date for commencement of trial.
However, the accused persons through their counsel, E. R.
Opara and Baba Shehu Ahmed, pleaded with the court for bail.
Justice Aladetoyinbo granted each accused bail in the sum of N3m (Three Million Naira) with one surety each in like sum. The sureties must be a top civil servant.
The case has been adjourned to April 16, 2015 for hearing.