A Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, on Wednesday remanded three suspects and two companies for defrauding an Aba based businessman, Chief Nnamdi Ezenwa, the MD/CEO of Vinna Investment Limited.

Chibueze Ojeh, Obinna Nwosu, Emeka Njoku and two companies; Castle Equipment & Logistic LTD and one financial institution were brought before Justice Nnamdi Dimba on a four count charge bordering on conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money under false pretence.

The offences according to the prosecutor, Augustin Oboh are contrary to sections 8(a) and 1(3) and punishable under sections 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), in the amended charge, marked No. FHC/AWK/C/25/2020, alleged that the three suspects and the two companies, Castle Equipment & Logistic LTD and the financial institution, had in between 3rd April 2013 and 31st June 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court while acting in concert and with intent to defraud Chief Nnamdi Ezenwa MD/CEO of Vinna Investment Limited conspired together to commit felony to wit: obtaining money to the sum of N242,015,000,00 (Two hundred and Forty-two Million, Fifteen thousand Naira) Equivalent to $950,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) from him.

The IGP also alleged that the three after fraudulently receiving the money from the victim converted the same to their personal use.

The charges read in part: “that you Chibueze Ojeh ‘m’ 40years MD/CEO of Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited of Lekki County Homes, Westend Estate Road 4, House 4 Lekki Lagos state, Obinna Nwosu ‘m’ 45years of No. 1 Shofidiya Close, Adegoke Estate, Masha Roundabout Sururere Lagos, Emeka Njoku `m’ 41 years former marketer with United Bank for Africa, of No. 3 Azikwe Road Port Harcourt, Castle Equipment & Logistics Ltd between 3rd April 2013 and 31st June 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court while acting in concert and with intent to defraud Chief Nnamdi Ezenwa MD/CEO of Vinna Investment Limited conspired together to commit felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretence and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance fee fraud and other related offences Act 2006.

“Count3; That you Chibueze Ojeh `m’ 40years MD/CEO of Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited of Lekki County Homes, Westend Estate Road 4, House 4 Lekki Lagos state, Obinna Nwosu 45 years of No. 1 Shofidiya Close, Adegoke Estate, Masha Roundabout Sururere Lagos, Emeka Njoku 41years former marketer with United Bank for Africa, of No. 3 Azikiwe Road Port Harcourt, Castle Equipment & Logistics Ltd between 3rd April 2013 and 31st June 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court while acting in concert and with intent to defraud Chief Nnamdi Ezenwa MD/CEO of Vinna Investment Limited deceitfully induced Chief Nnamdi Ezenwa through an agreement and collected the sum of N242,015,000,00 (Two hundred and Forty two Million, Fifteen thousand Naira) Equivalent to(Nine hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars), from him on the pretence that you will transfer the Dollars to his customers in Italy but having collected the money you converted same to your use, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance fee fraud.

“Count 4 That you Emeka Njoku ‘m’ 41 years, former marketer with United Bank for Africa, of No. 3 Azikiwe Road Port Harcourt, between 3rd April 2013 and 31st June 2013 in Lagos and Aba, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court while acting in concert and with intent to defraud Chief Nnamdi Ezenwa MD/CEO of Vinna Investment Limited aids and abets Chibueze Ojeh ‘m’ 40years MD/CEO of Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited of Lekki County Homes, Westend Estate road 4 House 4 Lekki Lagos state and Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited to commit of the offence-of obtaining money by false pretence when you induced Chief Nnamdi Ezenwa to transfer the sum of N242,015,000,00 (Two hundred and Forty two Million, Fifteen thousand Naira) Equivalent to $950,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) from his UBA account in Aba branch to the UBA-account of Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited in Lagos Which was withdrawn by Chibueze Ojeh, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section to section 8(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance fee fraud and other related offences Act 2006.”

All the accused however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following the pleas of the accused persons, their lawyers, Nduka Ijeh, Mr Enoch Aguana and N.C Odumata pleaded with the court to admit the suspects on bail with most liberal term.

Justice Nnamdi Dimba, after listening to the submissions of both parties, ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prisons custody.

The matter was adjourned till March 16, 2022, for further hearing.