The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Benin Zonal Directorate, on Monday arraigned Ndubuisi Iheukwumere John before Justice Agbaje Olufunmilola Adetutu of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, over an alleged ₦150 million fraud.
The defendant was docked on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy, advance fee fraud and obtaining money by false pretence.
Reading the charges, the prosecution alleged that John conspired with Emmanuel Emifoniye and Salt Adaeze Udoka, who are currently at large, to defraud a victim in November 2024.
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Count one of the charge stated: “That you Ndubuisi Iheukwumere John (m), Emmanuel Emifoniye (m) (at large) and Salt Adaeze Udoka (f) (at large), sometime in November 2024 in Asaba, Delta State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire among yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: obtaining by false pretence, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
In count two, the EFCC alleged that the defendant, alongside Udoka, between December 1 and 7, 2024, fraudulently obtained the sum of ₦150,000,000 from one John Abike Ifejiofor under the false pretence that the money was payment for a parcel of land located at Ewulu Community, Delta State.
The charge read in part: “That you Ndubuisi Iheukwumere John (m) and Salt Adaeze Udoka (f) (at large)… by false pretence and with intent to defraud did obtain the total sum of ₦150,000,000.00 from John Abike Ifejiofor, under the false pretence that same was the purchase price for a parcel of land… and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to both counts.
Following the plea, prosecuting counsel, Francis Jirbo, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional centre. Defence counsel, however, prayed the court to grant the defendant bail, arguing that the alleged offences were bailable.
In her ruling, Justice Adetutu admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with two sureties in like sum. The judge ordered that one of the sureties must own a landed property with valid title documents, which are to be verified by the court registrar in collaboration with EFCC operatives.
The court further directed the defendant to submit a certified statement of his bank account to the court.
The case was adjourned to March 16, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
