The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned a lawyer, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo, over an alleged N15.7 million land fraud in Enugu.
Nwobodo was re-arraigned by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu.
He is facing a 20-count charge bordering on forgery, possession of forged documents and obtaining by false pretence involving N15.7 million.
The defendant was initially arraigned on January 27, 2025, on a five-count charge before the same court, where he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on self-recognition.
During the trial, prosecution counsel, CSE Chikezie Raymond Edozie, presented six witnesses and tendered exhibits, all of which were admitted by the court.
At the resumed hearing on April 23, 2026, the prosecution informed the court of an amended charge. The charges were read to Nwobodo, who again pleaded not guilty. The prosecution subsequently closed its case.
Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo adjourned the matter to April 30, 2026, for the defendant to open his defence.
Earlier, on March 4, 2026, the court warned the defendant against interfering with prosecution witnesses. The judge cautioned that any further reports of harassment or intimidation could lead to the revocation of his bail.
According to the charge, Nwobodo allegedly forged a land purchase receipt worth N9 million in January 2014, purportedly issued by Onyekachi O. Nwocha and Christiana C. Nwocha.
He was also accused of presenting another forged receipt valued at N5.5 million in April 2014 to a buyer, Ude Chinedu Emmanuel.
The offences are said to contravene provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
