EFCC arraigns man for N72m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a man identified as Heart Chidozie Obum before the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, presided over by Justice Ramon Oshodi, on five counts of forgery, stealing and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N72m.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Tuesday that Obum allegedly committed the offences in Lagos sometime in 2023 by dishonestly defrauding one Peace Asonye Udochukwu.

According to the EFCC, the offences contravene Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offenses Act 2006, Section 278 (2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015 and Section 365 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos state 2015.

His charge read, “Heart Chidozie Obum, sometime in 2023, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, by false pretence and intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N72,689,000 from Peace Asonye Udochukwu as payment for a certificate of sponsorship which is contrary to Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act 2006.”

“Heart Chidozie Obum, sometime in 2023 and in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly took the sum of N72,689,000 from Peace Asonye Udochukwu as payment for a certificate of sponsorship, stealing contrary to Section 278 (2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015”, his second charge read.

His third charge read, “Heart Chidozie Obum, sometime in 2023 and in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, by false pretence and intent to defraud, obtained the sum of £31,200, from Peace Asonye Udochukwu as payment for a certificate of sponsorship which is contrary to Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act 2006.

“Heart Chidozie Obum, sometime in 2023 and in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly took the sum of £31,200 from Peace Asonye Udochukwu as payment for a certificate of sponsorship, stealing contrary to Section 278 (2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015,” his fourth charge read.

His fifth charge read, “Heart Chidozie Obum sometime in 2023 and in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, forged several certificates of sponsorship given to Peace Asonye Udochukwu, which is a forgery, contrary to Section 365 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

Upon arraignment, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the EFCC.

Following Obum’s not-guilty plea, Justice Oshodi ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Maximum Correctional Centre and the case be adjourned till February 18, 2025, for trial and further proceedings.