NEWS
EFCC Arraigns Lawyer over Alleged N91m Land Fraud in Enugu

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 arraigned one Barrister Mike Ikegbunam before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State 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).
One of the counts 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 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”.
He pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to him.” In view of his plea, Counsel to the EFCC, Nuradeen Shehu Ingawa prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the Correctional Centre. The defence counsel, A. G. Anyigo prayed the court to admit his client to bail adding that “the defendant is a very responsible personality in the society”.
Responding, Ingawa vehemently opposed the bail application based on the gravity of the offence and urged the court to dismiss the bail application. In his ruling, Justice Umar granted the defendant bail on self recognizance being a legal practitioner on the following conditions: That the defendant must deposit his Call to Bar Certificate with the court and make available one surety, who must be his cousin.
The defendant was remanded at the EFCC custody pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
The judge adjourned the matter to March 21, 2024 for trial. Ikegbunam was arrested on July 12, 2023 owing to the claims of the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi Branch, alleging that its members paid N91million 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, used N16,500,000 (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
EFCC
Discover more from Naijanewstoday
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
-
NEWS5 days ago
FG Cuts Dialysis Cost In Federal Hospitals From ₦50,000 To ₦12,000
-
NEWS4 days ago
Ebonyi Man Plans Lagos-Abakaliki Trek to Honour Gov. Nwifuru’s Peace Efforts
-
POLITICS6 days ago
Peter Obi Tells Nigerians: Get Your PVC, Reject Criminals in Disguise
-
NEWS5 days ago
Ebonyi Coordinator Distributes Motorcycles, Lauds Governor’s Grassroots Development Agenda
-
ENTERTAINMENT6 days ago
Jim Iyke Says Single Mothers Cannot Raise Boys Into “Proper Men”
-
NEWS6 days ago
Lagos State Declares August 20 Work-Free for Public Servants for Isese Day
-
NEWS5 days ago
FCT Minister Denies Awarding N5 Billion Contract to Local Contractors
-
NEWS2 days ago
Ebonyi Man Begins Lagos–Abakaliki Trek in Support of Gov Nwifuru’s Peace Efforts in Effium Crisis
-
SPORTS6 days ago
Tinubu Arrives in Japan to Boost Bilateral Ties
-
NEWS4 days ago
Wike Says Amaechi’s 2027 Presidential Ambition Is Dead on Arrival
-
ENTERTAINMENT5 days ago
VeryDarkMan Leads Protest In Auchi, Blocks Dangote Trucks Over Victims’ Compensation
-
FACT-CHECKS/INVESTIGATION6 days ago
Nigeria Begins Deportation of 192 Foreign Cybercrime Convicts