The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned the Chairman, Onitsha/Odekpe Plastic Market Association, Obinna Calistus Okoli, before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, sitting in Awka, Anambra State, for obtaining under false pretence to the tune of N6.7 million.
Okoli was arraigned on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 alongside Onitsha/Odekpe Plastic Market Association on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining under false pretence.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Obinna Calistus Okoli (while being Chairman of Onitsha/Odekpe Plastic Market Association) and Onitsha/Odekpe Plastic Market Association between May 2018 and July 2020 in Onitsha, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud induced one Mr. Joseph Okechukwu Enyiuche to deliver to you the sum of (N6,700,000.00) Six Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira under the pretence that you would allocate to him four shops in the proposed lock-up stalls/shops to be built at water melon land 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.”
They pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them. In view of their pleas, 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.
Defence counsel E. O. Igowe made an oral application for bail but was vehemently opposed by Ingawa who reminded the defence counsel that it was a court of records.
Justice Dimgba thereafter adjourned the matter till Friday, February 16, 2024 for hearing of bail application. The defendants were remanded at the EFCC custody.
The defendant was arrested by operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the EFCC when a petitioner alleged that Okoli fraudulently obtained N6.7 million from him in order to help him secure four lock-up shops at a proposed mall to be built at water melon land in Anambra State.
The petitioner says that after making payment for the shops, he discovered that the defendant had no shops left to be allocated to him and all efforts made to get his money back proved abortive.
Police rescue two Kidnapped Children In Ebonyi, Arrest Fake Corps Member
Two children at Nwezenyi, in Abakiliki Local government Area of Ebonyi State were kidnapped on January 22, 2024, were rescued and reunited with their parents on Thursday night.
One of the kidnapped victims, Ngozi Nwibo, aged seven years, was rescued at Oba, Idemili L.G.A. of Anambra State on Sunday, 4th January, 2024, during which the female kidnapper was arrested and brought to Ebonyi State Police Command Headquarters in Abakiliki.
Following her confessional statement, she was taken to Lagos State where the second victim, three-year-old Chinaza Nwachukwu was also rescued, while the woman who bought her escaped arrest.
Speaking at his residence when friends, relatives and well wishers gathered to celebrate with them, the parents of Chinaza Nwachukwu, Mr and Mrs Simon Nwachukwu whose joy knew no bounds, expressed gratitude to God for the rescue of their kidnapped daughter.
Mr Simon Nwachukwu said that they spent a huge amount of money in the process of police investigation and recovery of their daughter, but maintained that nothing could be worth the life of their child.
Nwachukwu called on the wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru and relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice prevailed with regard to those involved in the dastardly act to serve as a deterrent to others.
The parents of Ngozi Nwibo, Mr.and Mrs Okechukwu Nwibo, while thanking God for His wonderful works, expressed appreciation to friends, relatives and well wishers for their prayers, financial support and encouragement during their trail period.
The Landlord, Mr Francis Nwankwuda, who gave accommodation to the lady kidnapper, who pretended to be a member of NYSC, expressed joy that the kidnapped children had been rescued.
He thanked God that he had been released after more than two weeks of detention following police investigation and expressed joy that God had vindicated him, that he had no hand in the kidnap of the children.
A teacher at the Special Science School Igbeagu, Mr Sebastine Obiya, who was on hand to celebrate with the parents of the rescued children, advised parents and caregivers to be vigilant at all times and to ensure that their children were always in safe hands..
He also advised landlords and caretakers to verify the identity of anyone in search of a house before giving them accommodation.
When contacted, the Ebonyi State Police Command Headquarters Public Relations officer, Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the cheering news.
