The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, June 27, 2019, arraigned one, Francis Ndidi Onuegbu, before Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, of the Federal High court, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
Onuegbu is accused alongside one Oluwatosin Olowu (now at large), by the EFCC, on three count-charge bordering on forgery and obtaining property by false pretence, an offence contrary to Section 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
One of the count charges read: “That you Francis Ndidi Onuegbu and Oluwatosin Olowu (still at large), sometimes in 2003, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud an attempt to obtain the property, known as Plot 390 Cadestral Zone, B19 Katampe Extension, under false pretence from the Department of Land Administration & Resettlement, an offence contrary to section 363 of the Panel Code Law Cap. 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963 and punishable under Section 364 of the same Law”.
The accused pleaded “not guilty” after the charges were read to him.
The prosecution Counsel, Aliyu Bokani Usman, in view of the plea of the defendant, applied for a new date for the commencement of trial.
But the defence counsels, Eucharia Nwankpa and Ike Nwauzoigwe, however told the court that the defendant is on administrative bail.
After listening to the counsels, Justice A. I. Kutigi granted bail to the accused person in the sum of N5, 000, 000 (Five Million Naira) with one surety who must be a Civil Servant not below Grade Level ten (10). The Surety, according to the judge, must depose to affidavit of means.
Justice Kutigi adjourned the case to October 14, 2019, for commencement of trial.