For suspected ₦12 million land fraud in Enugu State, Benjamin Nwobodo has been brought before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC reportedly charged Barrister Nwobodo with five counts that bordered on forgery and obtaining by pretense before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court located in Independence Layout, Enugu State.
Count three of the charge states: “That on January 15, 2014, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, you, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of Nine Million Naira only (₦9,000,000.00) from one Wilson Ikeani Igwe under the false pretense of selling him three plots of land located at Emene, Enugu State, a pretense you knew to be false and thereby committed an offense against Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
The charge’s fourth count stated, “That on December 15, 2014, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, you, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of Three Million Naira only (₦3,000,000.00) from one Wilson Ikeani Igwe under the false pretense of selling him a plot of land situated at Emene, Enugu State, a pretense you knew to be false and thereby committed an offense against Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offenses Act, 2006, punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
When the charges were read to the defendant, he entered a not guilty plea.
Chikezie Raymond Edozie, the Chief Superintendent of the EFCC and the defendant’s attorney, requested a trial date and the custody of the defendant to the Enugu State Correctional Facility in light of his plea.
Read Also: “APC Allegedly Offering Opposition Leaders N50 Million Each” – Atiku Alleges
But after declaring that he would be represented by counsel, the defendant applied orally for bail, which the judge granted on the following conditions.
One of the sureties must own a landed property in the city of Enugu, and the bail terms include two sureties in the amount of ₦25 million Naira.
In addition to being a blood relative, the additional surety must provide the court with three years of tax clearance.
After receiving the sureties’ details, the EFCC has seven working days to confirm the sureties’ identities and residences. Both sureties are required to depose and submit an affidavit of means.
In addition, the defendant must provide the Deputy Court Registrar with his international passport.
The court then allowed the defendant to return home on his own recognizance, but told him 10 (ten) days to complete the bail conditions or the EFCC would arrest him and transport him to a correctional facility.
The case was postponed to May 13 and 14, 2025 for trial.
