The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over byJustice Inyang Edem Ekwo on Wednesday, 5 March, 2025 adjourned further proceedings in the matter between the Nigerian Police and Senator Andy Uba, to March 17.
The adjournment followed the filing of a 2-count amended charge by the police on March 4, 2025, which was yet to be served on Andy Uba and other defendants as required by law.
The amended charge, dated 3 March, 2025, was signed by Abdulrashid Sidi Esq.
The amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024), involving allegations of N400 million fraud, was filed by the Inspector General of Police against Senator Uba, Crystal and Benjamin Etu.
At the resumed sitting for arraignment of Uba, one Lukeman Anthony Esq., announced appearance for the prosecution (IGP), while C. F Odiniru, represented the defendants.
Laying foundation for the proceeding, Anthony told the court that the matter was for arraignment and that the charge had been amended.
At this point, Justice Ekwo enquired when the amended charge was filed.
Responding, the police prosecution counsel said he filed the amended charge on March 4.
Interjecting, Justice Ekwo, demanded to know whether the Defendants have been served, but the police lawyer, replied, “no my lord.
In view of the development, the Judge asked how many days the prosecution counsel needed to effect service of the amended charge on the Defendants, and Mr Lukeman Anthony, said 7 days.
Meanwhile, the court has directed that the amended charge be served on the 1st and 2nd defendants.
Count one of the amended charge read, “That you Andy Uba, Benjamin Etu and Hajiya Fatima now at large sometimes between the year 2022, within the jurisdiction of the Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit : obtaining by false pretences by making a presentation to George Uboh, you have perfected way to an appointment of the Managing Directorship of NDDC Niger Delta Development Commission to any interested person who can afford the sum of N400,000,000 (Four Hundred Million Naira only), a presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act 2006.
Count two read, “That you Andy Uba, Benjamin Etu and Hajiya Fatima, now at large, sometimes between the year 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Court did conspire amongst yourselves with intention to defraud did induce George Uboh by making a presentation to him that you have perfected way to give an appointment of the post of Managing Directorship of (NDDC) Niger Delta Development Commission to any interested person who can afford the sum of N400,000,000 (Four Hundred Million Naira only), a presentation which you know is not true, you collected the money and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (2) and punishable under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006.
