EFCC Arraigns Enugu Lawyer Over ₦12m Land Fraud Allegations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned an Enugu-based lawyer, Benjamin Nwobodo, before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court, Enugu, on charges of forgery and obtaining by false pretense involving ₦12 million.

In a statement on Monday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed that Nwobodo faced a five-count charge and pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.

One of the charges alleges that on January 15, 2014, Nwobodo fraudulently obtained ₦9 million from Wilson Ikeani Igwe under the false pretense of selling three plots of land in Emene, Enugu State. Another charge accuses Nwobodo of collecting ₦3 million from the same victim on December 15, 2014, for one plot of land under similar false pretenses.

The offenses contravene Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

During the proceedings, EFCC counsel, Chief Superintendent Chikezie Raymond Edozie, sought a trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded in custody.

Nwobodo, representing himself, made an oral bail application, which was granted under strict conditions:

Two sureties must provide ₦25 million each.
One surety must own property in Enugu metropolis.
The second surety must be a blood relative with three years of tax clearance.
Both sureties must submit affidavits of means.
The EFCC must verify the sureties and their addresses within seven days.
The defendant must submit his international passport to the court.

The court permitted Nwobodo to leave on self-recognizance, with a 10-day window to fulfill the bail requirements. Failure to meet the conditions will result in his remand at the Enugu Correctional Facility.

The trial is scheduled for May 13 and 14, 2025.