EFCC prosecutes Kaduna resident over alleged currency fraud

A Kaduna High Court has heard a case involving an alleged counterfeit currency operation after a businessman, Kelechi Ezechukwu, was brought before the court on Thursday.

Ezechukwu, 38, who lives in Ungwan Pama in Kaduna, is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on two charges linked to fraud and possession of forged money.

Prosecuting counsel, K. C. James, told the court that the incident occurred on 24 April in the Kawo area of the state. He said the accused was apprehended at a bank while attempting to lodge N200,000, which was later identified as counterfeit.

The prosecutor added that a subsequent search conducted after the arrest uncovered an additional $2,000 in fake foreign currency on the defendant.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences fall under provisions of the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017, which prescribe custodial sentences upon conviction.

Presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, granted the defendant bail set at N500,000, with two sureties required to provide the same amount.

The court directed that the sureties must reside within its jurisdiction and show proof of tax payments to the Kaduna State Government for the past three years. It also ruled that one of the sureties must be a relative of the accused.

The matter has been adjourned until 30 May for further proceedings.