Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Three persons have been arraigned before the Ebonyi State Magistrate Court on a two-count charge for allegedly defrauding prospective job seekers over N11.3m.
The trio whose names were given as Chidiebere Cyril Ndigwe, Ikembuchukwu Donatus and Madu Chioma were said to have conspired with others at large to commit the crime.
According the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Bassey Okon, the trio’s offence is punishable under section 8 (a) and section 1(3) of the Advance Fee fraud and other fraud related offences Act, CAP A6, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2006.
Inspector Okon told the court that the trio and their cohorts defrauded N11.3m from Ituma Margret, Agashi Azuka, Alobu Clement, Agbo Stella and many others by promising to give them employment at National Obstetric Fistula Centre Abakaliki (NOFIC).
The charges read: “That you Chidiebere Cyril Ndigwe, Ikembuchukwu Donatus, Madu Chioma and others now at large between April and May 2023, at National Obstetric Fistula Centre Abakaliki, in the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit Advance Fee Fraud and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee fraud and other fraud related offences Act, CAP A6, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2006.
“That you Chidiebere Cyril Ndigwe, Ikembuchukwu Donatus, Madu Chioma and others now at large on the same date and place in the aforesaid magisterial district. Did by false preference and with intent to de fraud, obtained sum of Eleven million, three hundred thousand (11,300,000) naira from Ituma Margret, Agashi Azuka, Alobu Clement Agbo Stella and many others by promising to give them employment at National Obstetric Fistula Centre Abakaliki, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 (3) of the advance fee Fraud and other fraud related offences CAP A6, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2006.”
The Magistrate, Ojemba Isu-Oko, remanded the accused persons in prison custody after rejecting an application for bail by their lawyer.
The Court adjourned the matter to 25th of August 2023.
