EFCC Arraigns Lawyer for Alleged N12 Million Land Fraud in Enugu
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Barrister Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court in Enugu for allegedly committing forgery and obtaining by false pretenses amounting to N12 million.
Nwobodo faces five counts related to fraudulent activities, with the third and fourth charges detailing specific allegations:
- Count 3: On January 15, 2014, Nwobodo is accused of obtaining N9 million from one Wilson Ikeani Igwe under false pretenses, claiming to sell three plots of land at Emene, Enugu State, a claim he knew to be false.
- Count 4: On December 15, 2014, Nwobodo allegedly defrauded Igwe of N3 million for the sale of a single plot of land at Emene, also falsely representing the transaction.
When the charges were read, Nwobodo pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Chikezie Raymond Edozie, requested a trial date and asked that Nwobodo be remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Facility. Nwobodo, who represented himself in court, made an oral application for bail, which was granted under the following conditions:
- Two sureties, each responsible for N25 million.
- One surety must own property in Enugu metropolis.
- The second surety must be a blood relative and provide a three-year tax clearance certificate.
- Both sureties must submit affidavits of means and have their details verified by the EFCC within seven working days.
Additionally, Nwobodo was required to submit his international passport to the Deputy Court Registrar.
The court allowed Nwobodo to return home on self-recognizance, giving him 10 days to meet the bail conditions. Failure to do so would result in his arrest and transfer to a correctional facility.
The trial has been adjourned to May 13 and 14, 2025.
