NewsCrimeEnugu Zonal Command Of EFCC Docks Land Speculator For N340 Million Fraud

Enugu Zonal Command Of EFCC Docks Land Speculator For N340 Million Fraud

November 23, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

A Federal High Court, sitting in Enugu, presided over by Justice M.G. Umar has ordered the remand of one Kingsley Chinonye Unije at the Correctional Centre till January, 2024.

The suspect was arraigned by the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), for forgery, obtaining money by false pretence and money laundering to the tune of N340 million.

According to the prosecution, Kingsley Chinonye Unije, sometime between May and 2022 in Enugu State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High court of Nigeria, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N170 million from Igwe Cosmas Ezeumeh under the false pretence.

“That you were selling to him two landed property known as plot 81 and 304 at New layout Enugu with the consent of Late Mrs Victoria Unije, which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud- related offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same act.

“That you Kingsley Chinonye Unije sometime between May and June, 2022, in Enugu State, within the Jurisdiction of the Federal high court of Nigeria converted the sum of N120 million by purchasing two landed properties in your personal name, and one in the name of Michael Emeka Bernard knowing that the said money formed part of your unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Act and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same act.”

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

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Al’qasim Jaafar prayed for a trial date and the remand of the defendant in a Correctional Centre.

Meanwhile, defence counsel, Beatrice Nwatueze prayed the court for the bail of his client.

Justice Umar ordered the remanded the suspect in a Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to January 30, 2024 for hearing of the bail application.