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.

Recall that the feud between Ebuka Obi, the founder of Zion Ministry, and blogger Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, popularly known as “Ijele Speaks,” began when Ijele Speaks accused Ebuka Obi of performing fake miracles.

This accusation led to a series of events that ultimately resulted in Ijele Speaks’ arrest and detention.

Ebuka Obi filed a petition against Ijele Speaks, accusing him of cyberstalking, threat to life, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. Officer Peter Ejike, who was later dismissed for fraud, colluded with Ebuka Obi to prosecute Ijele Speaks.

During his detention, Ijele Speaks’ health deteriorated significantly, and he was allegedly poisoned, leading to kidney failure and cardiac arrests. His lawyer, Prince Okechukwu Emezu, wrote to the Inspector General of Police, highlighting the unlawful detention and seeking intervention to prevent a potential tragedy.

The situation drew widespread criticism, with many calling for Ijele Speaks’ release and condemning the actions of Officer Ejike and Ebuka Obi.

The Nigerian Police Force have eventually dismissed Officer Ejike for fraud, and it is unclear what further actions will be taken in the case. Stay tuned for further updates, Please follow ekwutosblog on Instagram.