24th February, 2015
Eromosele Ebhomele
The 39-year old Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Megarice Co-operative Society Nigeria Limited, Mr. Harry Agbenu Austin, has been declared wanted after allegedly defrauding at least 400 Nigerians to the tune of N800 million.
Austin, whose organisation is located at Glass Plaza, Block B1, FCDA Quarters, Kubwa, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, absconded with his wife, Mary Agbenu Austin, a 37-year old director in the organisation.
Apart from reportedly defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians of the huge sum, they also allegedly received a loan facility to the tune of N1 million from a new generation bank, diverted the money and refused to pay back.
Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Ecomomic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says the duo are wanted to face allegations of economic crimes against them.
Part of the allegation involves criminal breach of trust, obtaining by false pretence and issuance of dud cheque to the tune of over N1 billion.
“The couple allegedly used their company, Megarice, in operating a Cooperative society of over 400 members whose deposit amounted to over N800 million.
“They (the depositors) were promised a 10 percent monthly interest on their investments which never materialised.
“Also, the couple obtained a loan of N1 million from a new generation bank purportedly for importation and distribution of rice which they diverted for other purposes and also defaulted in repayment,” the EFCC said, describing Austin as dark in complexion and hails from Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State while Mary, his wife, is from Chukum LGA of Kaduna State.
They both speak Idoma, Gwari, English and Hausa languages fluently and their last known address is 96 Road, House 14 Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja.
“Anybody having useful information as to his whereabouts should contact the Commission in its Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja offices or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies,” the EFCC said.