The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Barrister Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State on a five-count charge bordering on forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N12,000,000. 00 (Twelve Million Naira only).

Count three of the charge reads: “That you, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo on 15th day of January, 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of Nine Million Naira only (N9,000,000.00) from one Wilson Ikeani Igwe under the false pretence of the sale of three plots of land situated at Emene, Enugu State to him, 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”.

Count four of the charge read, “That you, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo on 15th day of December, 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of Three Million Naira only (N3,000,000.00) from one Wilson Ikeani Igwe under the false pretence of the sale of one plot of land situated at Emene, Enugu State to him, 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”.

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

In view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Chikezie Raymond Edozie prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Facility.

However, the defendant, who announced legal representation for himself made an oral application for bail which the court granted on the following terms;
Two sureties in the like sum of 25million Naira.

One of the sureties must have a landed property in Enugu metropolis. The other surety must be a blood relation and must submit three years tax clearance to the court. Both sureties must depose and submit an affidavit of means and the EFCC is to verify the sureties and their addresses within seven working days of receipt of the sureties details. The defendant in addition shall submit to the Deputy Court Registrar his international passport.

The court thereafter permitted the defendant to go home based on self-recognizance but gave him 10 (ten) days to perfect the bail conditions or the EFCC shall arrest him and take him to a Correctional Facility.

The matter was adjourned to May 13 and 14, 2025 for trial

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

The vacancy announcement is published on the Commission’s website: fedcivilservice.gov.ng and in the Sun, Daily Trust and The Nation newspaper of Monday 27th January 2025.
Eligible applicants are to apply for only one position via the application link: recruitment.fedcivilservice.gov.ng
Applicants who are physically challenged should state the nature of their disability.
Applicants are to upload the following documents as applicable:
I) Curriculum Vitae
II) Ph.D/Master’s Degree Certificate
III) Degree/HND/NCE Certificate
IV) WAEC/NECO/NABTEB Certificate
V) Primary School Certificate
VI) NYSC discharge/exemption/exclusion certificate
VII) Birth Certificate/Declaration of Age
VIII) Local Government Identification
IX) Recent Passport photograph

Deadline: 10th March, 2025.

PRESS RELEASE

TERRORISM: POLICE STRIKES MAJOR BLOW TO TERRORISM, NEUTRALIZES ESN TERRORIST KINGPINS, DESTROYS DEADLY CAMPS IN IMO.

As Operatives Recover Dangerous Weapons, Other Assets.

As part of the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force to emplace peace and public safety across the country, police operatives attached to the Imo State Police Command have achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against terrorism with the neutralization of three deadly terrorist kingpins associated with the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

On January 24, 2025, operatives from the Command’s tactical Unit following credible intelligence launched a coordinated operation aimed at locating and dislodging the terrorist hideouts. The police operatives located the terrorists’ hideout in a forest within Ihube, Okigwe LGA. Upon approach, the operatives came under heavy fire from suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists but demonstrated exceptional courage and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.

The operation resulted in the neutralization of 6 members of the terrorist group, with 3 being ESN kingpins identified as Ifeanyi Anayo a.k.a. Zuma De Rock (28), Chukwuemeka Odionyenfe a.k.a. Nmimi (22), and Kingsley Sunday (21)—all natives of Ogube, Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area, and the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), several communication equipment, along with 8 operational motorcycles used by the group. Prior investigations had revealed the involvement of the group in several high-profile crimes, including the attack on the Owerri Correctional Center on April 5, 2021, the killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, on December 12, 2022, and the burning of Arondizuogu Police Station on February 8, 2022. The group was also involved in multiple kidnappings, including those of WAEC staff on June 5, 2023, four reverend sisters on August 21, 2022, and four Chinese nationals on December 6, 2023.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has commended the gallant operatives for their exceptional display of bravery and coordination. The IGP charges police operatives across commands and formations to sustain the tempo and implement the Force’s action plan aimed at reducing crimes drastically in the first quarter of the year 2025. The Nigeria Police Force remains unyielding in its goal towards ensuring national security and public safety. Members of the public are hereby urged to remain vigilant and work collaboratively with the Nigeria Police Force to promote peace and ensure a safer environment for all citizens.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.

25TH JANUARY, 2025.