Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State, has ordered the remand of a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, Chidera Okeke, following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of fraud totaling N446 million.
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC leveled a three-count charge against the defendant and two of his firms, Paderlambs Investment Limited and Ishiugbo Nigeria Limited. The charges, which focus on forgery and obtaining money under false pretenses, allege that the defendant misappropriated N446,579,629 between October and November 2023 in Onitsha.
According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly misled Izuchukwu Okeke, the Managing Director of Alphard Candy and Sons Limited, by claiming to have remitted the Renminbi (RMB) equivalent of the funds to a business partner in China. Investigations revealed that the victim had initially channeled the funds through another BDC operator, Nwadili David Chukwuka, who subsequently transferred the money to the defendant’s companies. The EFCC further alleged that the defendant produced forged telex documents purportedly from an Australian firm, JCI General Trading Pty Limited, to deceive the petitioner.
The legal proceedings were initiated following the transfer of the defendant to the EFCC by the State Security Service on October 30, 2024. The investigation was triggered by a formal petition from the victim, who alleged that after the defendant failed to deliver the promised funds, he attempted to settle the debt by issuing a dud cheque.
During the proceedings, the defendant entered a plea of not guilty to all counts. EFCC counsel, Michael Ikechukwu Ani, an assistant commander of the commission, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the accused at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Awka. Justice Anyadike granted the request and adjourned the matter to Thursday for the hearing of the defendant’s bail application.
Source: NaijaProbe