By Austin Ogwuda

Enugu – THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Monday arraigned five persons before the Federal High Court, Enugu, for allegedly obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N26 million.

Arraigned before Justice D.V. Agishir were Uchenna Nwako,   Ejikeme Oluchukwu,   Nnamani Ikechukwu, Ibeh Kodili Martins and Nwako Victoria Ifeoma.

The suspects were arrested on February 27, 2013 upon intelligence report and were granted administrative bails.

They were, however, arraigned yesterday on 16- count charge.

Part of the charges read: “That you Uchenna Nwako, Ejikme Oluchukwu, Nnamani Ikechukwu, Ibeh Kodili Martins and Nwako Victoria Ifeoma sometimes in November 2012 in Enugu, Enugu State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, conspired among yourselves to commit an unlawful act to wit: obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

“That you Nwako Victoria Ifeoma and Uchenna Nwako on or about 18th October 2012 in Enugu, Enugu State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria , concealed and disguised the origin of the sum of (N8,940,000) Eight million nine hundred and forty thousand naira only, which is proceed of an unlawful activity by causing the said money to be paid into the Zenith Bank account number 1013144345 of Ifechina   Enterprises Limited, a private limited company jointly owned by both of you, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(a) and punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering Act , 2011 (As Amended).’’

They pleaded not guilty, while the matter was adjourned to May 13, 2015.