By Michael Onwuka
Nigeria’s anti graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday secured the conviction of two false whistle blowers, Dominic Okem and Chukwunonso Igweonu for conspiracy and giving misleading and false information.
According to a statement by the Head, Media & Publicity of the commission , Mr Wilson Uwujaren, Justice I. M. Salami of the the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt sentenced the duo to two months imprisonment with an option of fine of N100,000 each.
Uwujaren said that they were convicted after pleading “guilty” to two- count charges bordering on giving false information.
According to one of the charges, Dominic Okem and Chukwunonso Igweonu on or about January 22, 2021 conspired to give false information to officers of the EFCC in Port Harcourt to wilt: huge fund were found at Enu/Akwu Street, Federal Housing Estate, in Calabar Cross Rivers State.
The information turned out to be false after the operatives of the commission had executed a search warrant on the said property.
The offence was said to be punishable under Section 39 (2) (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.
The prosecution counsel, Mr F. O. Amama, relying on their “guilty” plea, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
The defence counsel, Mr E. Wanogho however, prayed the court not to raise its hammer too hard as the defendants were actually carrying out their civic responsibilities in line with the whistle blowing policy of the Federal Government.
He said that it was sad that their effort to expose the proceeds of crime turned out otherwise
In a related development, the Enugu zonal office of the commission on Monday arraigned one Odejobi Temitope Michael before Justice E.N Alukwu of the State High Court, Enugu for stealing N2million.
The said sum was inadvertently paid into the defendant’s account by one Chikezie Chukuma, who thought the account belonged to an auto dealer from whom he had wanted to purchase a car sometime in February 2017.
However, it was when he went to take delivery of the car that he realised that he had paid into the wrong account.
All entreaties for the defendant to refund the money fell on deaf ears, which prompted the plaintiff to report the case to the EFCC.
When the one count charge was read, the defendant pleaded ‘not guilty’..
The defense counsel, Mr B.J Adigwe filed a motion for the bail of his client pending the determination of the case.
However, the prosecution counsel Mr S.C Anyanwu opposed the bail application, arguing that the defendant might not return to face trial if he was allowed to return to the Republic of Benin where he resides.
After listening to counsels, Alukwu ordered the remand of the defendant in the EFCC custody and adjourned the matter until April 25, 2020 for hearing.
