A prosecution witness, Promise Egwim, has accused Oluchi Duruibe, the National Democratic Congress House of Representatives candidate for Okigwe South Federal Constituency, Imo State, of defrauding him of N238,600,000 in a property scam.
Mr Egwim stated this on Thursday when he testified before Justice Y. Halilu of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court during Ms Duruibe’s ongoing trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said Ms Duruibe was being prosecuted on a four-count charge bordering on investment fraud and obtaining money under false pretences to the tune of N238.6 million.
According to the commission, the defendant was arraigned on April 30, 2026, following a petition alleging that she had presented herself as a real estate investment facilitator who could help the petitioner source investors for his company, Profilled World Homes.
Mr Egwim, who was cross-examined by defence counsel O. R. Odisa, disclosed that the sum was part-payment of the 10 per cent commission he had agreed to pay the defendant on her proposed N10 billion investment in his real estate company, Profilled World Homes.
“The total sum of N238, 600, 000 that I gave her was part of the 10 per cent of N10 billion investment she promised to bring for my company. She even said that there was already a N3 billion investment on the ground on that day and that if I didn’t release the money, she would not be able to bring the deal.
“I did not want to approve the cheque but she pressured me to speak with my account officer to approve the cheque. She even promised that she will supply bags of cement worth the amount if she is unable to deliver which she did not. The money belongs to my company Profilled World Homes,” the witness stated.
The EFCC noted that the petitioner allegedly gave Ms Duruibe two Zenith Bank cheques for N97 million and N41 million, respectively, in addition to cash payments and bank transfers, totalling N238.6 million.
It added that the defendant had neither provided the promised N10 billion investment nor refunded the payments made to her.
Justice Halilu adjourned the matter until November 25, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
Ms Duruibe emerged as the House of Representatives candidate for Okigwe South Federal Constituency in June.