EFCC Arraigns two for Land Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on 18^th June, 2013 arraigned Benjamin Okwor and Ozoani  Sabastine before Justice M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Enugu, Enugu State on a 2- count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.

When the charges were read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty.

The accused persons allegedly conspired and defrauded one Amuchi Ezeani of the sum of one million naira over a parcel of land located at Plot 40, Offiagu Layout in Amaebor community, Ibute Ameke, Ngwo, Enugu State.

One of the counts in the charge reads; “That you Benjamin Okwor and Ozoani Sabastine on or about the 16^th day of May 2011 at Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) from Amuchi Ozoani, when you purportedly sold a parcel of land known as Plot 40, at Offiagu Layout in Amaebor community, Ibute Ameke, Ngwo, which you claimed belonged to you, a pretence which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)b of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act”.

The prosecution counsel, Abraham Abutu asked the court for a trial date and that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

Justice Shuaibu remanded the accused persons in prison custody and adjourned to June 25, 2013 for hearing of bail application.

Wilson Uwujaren

Ag. Head, Media & Publicity

19^th June, 2013