EFCC arraigns corps member over alleged fraud

 

The Enugu Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday arraigned a serving youth corps member, Ogbonna Victor Chibuzor.

He was docked before Justice A.M. Liman of the Federal High Court, Enugu on a five-count charge of intent to defraud and possession of fraudulent documents containing false pretences contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

Ogbanna’s arrest was sequel to series of raids carried out by the zonal office over the past one week in which several suspected fraudsters in their early twenties were arrested having been found to be living flamboyantly despite having no identifiable means of livelihood.

Analysis carried out by the Commission on the computer of the suspected fraudster revealed certain incriminating documents intended to be used in swindling gullible Nigerians and foreigners alike.

According to the commission, further investigations disclosed that Ogbanna uses his e-mail address to send unsolicited emails to his victims using fake or stolen identity to legitimize his nefarious activities.

One of the documents was addressed to one Alan Christopher of BG Group Plc,Thames Valley Park,Reading,RG6,Berkshire,United Kingdom with a rider “Your attention is needed” and a second paragraph talking about a (£12,500.000.00) Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand Great Britain Pounds Sterling unclaimed contract fund.

Another document found with the accused was a purported Contract Award Certificate to one Michael Morgan of 101 Brooklyn,New York,United State of America, on Directing and Fixing of Oil Spillage in the Niger Deltasigned by the Chairman,Contract Tender Board and Chairman, Legal Department of Chevron Nigeria.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him occasioning his counsel E.O. Isiwu to move a motion for bail which was opposed by prosecution counsel, Innocent Mbachie.

The presiding judge, however, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) and one surety in like sum.

The surety, he ruled, must have a landed property in Enugu which must be verified by the Commissioner of Lands.

Ogbonna is to to be remanded in prison custody until he fulfils his bail conditions. Case was then adjourned to January 30, 2019.