The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Enugu Zonal office has arraigned one Chikere Felix Ibeawuchi before Justice T.G Ringim of the Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State on one count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N5.5 million.
The complainant alleged that Ibeabuwuchi sold a parcel of land situated at Plot No.738 Uratta West layout, Owerri, Imo State at the cost of N5, 500, 000.00 to him in May 2017. He told the EFCC that after paying the said amount, that he secured the Power of Attorney from the defendant but while erecting a structure on the land, some group of people disrupted and chased him and the workers out of the property, alleging that they are the rightful owner of the said land and warned him to stop further work on the property.
He said after informing the defendant about the incident, he was assured the situation was going to be resolved, but the promise was neither kept nor his money refunded.
Investigation by the Commission revealed that the Power of Attorney issued by the defendant to the complainant was not duly registered in the state Ministry of Lands and Survey.
The charge against the defendant reads:
“That you Chikere Felix Ibeawuchi on or about the 25th of May, 2017 in Owerri within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court obtained the sum of Five Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira from one Okey Orubele under the pretence that you are the owner of plot No. 738 Uratta West layout, Owerri Imo State which pretence you knew is false and hereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act. “
Ibeawuchi, whose counsel did not turn up for his arraignment pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him prompting the presiding Judge, Justice Ringim to adjourned the matter to January 14, 2020 for hearing and ordered the defendant to be remanded in the custody of a Correctional Centre.