22nd June, 2012
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned the duo of Emmanuel Ogwale, 80, and John Nwafor before a Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on a three count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining the sum of Six Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N6, 750,000.00) from one Mr. Friday Ani under false pretence.
The accused persons were arrested by the EFCC following a petition by Ani, alleging that one Mr. Chukwudi Ukwani introduced him to Mr. Ogwale as the owner of a landed property situated at Umuenwene Ije, Nike Community Layout by Amazing Love Assembly Church , Enugu East Local Government Area, Enugu state.
Although Ogwale claimed that he bought the land on July 15th, 1957, the complainant later confirmed from Lands Department in Enugu that the land belong to the Federal Government.
EFCC investigation revealed that the land falls under the Federal Government Low Cost Housing Estate at Trans –Ekulu, Enugu state, which was acquired in 1980 and every right that existed on the land before its acquisition was null and void.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the three count charge.
However, because they had no counsel, Justice D. V. Agishie adjourned the matter to 2 July, 2012 and ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody pending the determination of their bail application