The Enugu Zonal Directorate of 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 Independence Layout, Enugu.
Nwobodo faces a five-count charge of forgery and obtaining by false pretence involving N12 million.
In a statement on Tuesday, EFCC said the charges stem from alleged fraudulent land sales in Emene, Enugu State.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo, on January 15, 2014, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N9 million from Wilson Ikeani Igwe under the false pretence of selling three plots of land situated at Emene, Enugu State, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”
Another charge alleges that on December 15, 2014, the defendant obtained N3 million from the same victim under similar pretences.
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These offences EFCC said contravene Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
Nwobodo pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel Chief Superintendent Chikezie Raymond Edozie requested a trial date and sought the defendant’s remand at the Enugu State Correctional Facility.
However, the defendant, who represented himself, applied for bail.
Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo granted bail on stringent conditions, including two sureties who must each post N25 million.
One surety must own property in Enugu metropolis, while the other must be a blood relative and provide three years of tax clearance.
Both sureties must also depose to affidavits of means, with the EFCC tasked with verifying their details.
Additionally, Nwobodo was required to submit his international passport to the Deputy Court Registrar.
The court allowed Nwobodo to remain free on self-recognizance for 10 days to fulfill the bail conditions.
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Failure to do so would result in his arrest and remand in a correctional facility.
The trial is scheduled for May 13 and 14, 2025.
