The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, March 17, 2025 arraigned one Catherine Ijeoma Ugwu before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court Maiduguri.
The defendant was arraigned on a four -count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, criminal misappropriation and cheating by impersonation to the tune of N6.815 million.
Count one reads: “That you Catherine Ijeoma Ugwu between the period of June, 2023 to August, 2024 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the aggregate sum of N6, 710,300.00 (Six Million Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Three Hundred Naira) from Emmanuel Ani into your bank account: 1778806195 domiciled with Access Bank plc. under the pretence that same is meant for the upkeep of his purported fiancee, one Miss Chinansa, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud related Offences Act, 2006.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to her.
Counsel to the prosecution S.O Saka and Faruku Muhammad prayed the court for a trial date and for the remand of the defendant in a Correctional Centre.
Justice Kumaliya thereafter adjourned the matter till April 8, 2025 for commencement of trial and remanded the defendant in a Correctional Centre.
Ugwu’s journey to the Correctional Centre started when she obtained the sum of N6.8million by impersonating and pretending to be the fiancée of the petitioner. When contacted by the petitioner, the defendant can neither account for or return the money she collected.
EFCC Arrests 21 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Bauchi
Operatives of the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday, March 15, 2025 arrested 21 suspected internet fraudsters in Bauchi, Bauchi State.
The suspects were arrested based on credible intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud at Kaure New Government Reservation Area, GRA, Bauchi and Awala, Maiduguri road, Bauchi state.
Items recovered from them at the point of arrest include one BMW and Toyota Camry cars, three play station 5, 30 expensive phones, one flat screen television set, six Point of Sale, POS, machines, four ipads, and five laptops.
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
