The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Port Harcourt Zonal Office, on Wednesday February 5, 2020 arraigned one Nweite Nneka Anthonia before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State on one-count charge, bordering on obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N10,977,600.00 (Ten Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-seven Thousand Six Hundred Naira).
The charge reads: “The you, Nweite Nneka Anthonia (“f”) sometime in 2018 in Ekpan, Warri, Delta State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with the intent to defraud did obtain the sum of Ten Million Nine Hundred and Seventy-Seven Thousand Six Hundred Naira only (N10,977.600) from one Mr. Emmanuel Chiayanam Ugwu through your bank account number 1020031999, domiciled in United Bank for Africa Plc under the pretence that the said sum was payment for the supply of 82,000 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), a pretext you knew to false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)( a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In view of her plea, the prosecuting counsel M.T. Iko prayed the court for a commencement date of trial and the defendant to be remanded in the custody of Nigeria Correctional Centre, Warri.
However, the defence counsel, I.K. Ehigheluwa asked the court to grant the defendant bail.
Justice Nwite granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million and one surety in like sum who must own a landed property in Warri with a certificate of occupancy to be verified by the court registrar. The surety is also to provide three years tax clearance certificate and deposit two of his passport photographs with the court.
The case was adjourned till March 30, 2020 for commencement of trial.
