Nigerian man arraigned for N2m fraud in Enugu

TopNaija reports that operatives of  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu Zonal Office on Monday, March 8, 2021, arraigned one Odejobi Temitope Michael before Justice E. N. Alukwu of the State High Court sitting in Enugu on one count charge bordering on stealing to the tune of N2,000,000 (Two Million Naira only).

According to the agency, the said sum was inadvertently paid into the defendant’s account by one Chikezie Chukuma, who thought the account belonged to an auto dealer from whom he had wanted to purchase a car sometime in February 2017.

When it was time to take delivery of the car he realized he had paid into the wrong account. After several efforts to get his money back failed,  Chukwuma reported the case to the EFCC.

The charge reads, “Odejobi Temitope Michael sometimes in February 2019, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court stole the sum of N2,000,000 (Two Million Naira) property of one Chikezie David Chukwuma and thereby committed an offense”.

The defendant pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charge was read to him. His lawyer B. J. Adigwe filed a motion for the bail of his client pending the determination of the case.

But the prosecution counsel S. C. Anyanwu opposed the bail application, arguing that the defendant might not return to face trial if he goes back to the Republic of Benin where he resides. She urged the Court to give the matter an accelerated hearing.

After listening to counsel, Justice Alukwu ordered the remand of the defendant in the EFCC custody and adjourned the matter till April 25, 2021, for hearing.