EVENTS

EFCC Arraigns Two for Alleged N382m Contract Fraud in Enugu

Published

1 year ago

May 15, 2024

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned the duo of Onuaguluchi Ifeakanwa Chris and Izuchukwu Shedrack David, before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State.

They were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of crime and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N382, 336, 955. 00 (Three Hundred and Eighty-two Million, Three Hundred and Thirty-six Thousand, Nine Hundred and Fifty-five Naira).

One of the counts reads: “That you, Mr. Izuchukwu Shedrack David, Mrs Onuaguluchi Ifeakanwa Chris and Chief S. C. Ugwuanyi (Now at large), sometime between 4th May, 2023 in Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, by false pretences and with intent to defraud, obtained from Architekon Nigeria Limited, an aggregate sum of Three-hundred and Thirty-one Million, Three-hundred and Seventy-six Thousand Naira (331, 376, 000. 00), paid into account number 1534670390, with account name Izuchukwu Shedrack David, domiciled in Access Bank Plc by falsely representing that the money is meant for counterpart fund for a contract to construct six unity houses for hospitals in six Local Government Areas in Ebonyi State as approved by World Health Organisation, a pretext you knew to be 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 defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them. In view of their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Michael Ikechukwu Ani and Blessing Obasi prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded at Enugu State Correctional facility.

However, defence counsel, E. C. Chinenyeze and C. I. Enechionyia informed the court about pending bail applications before it. They moved the said applications and prayed the court to grant their clients bail on liberal terms.

Ani and Obasi vehemently opposed the applications on the ground that if granted bail, the defendants might jump bail considering the gravity of the offence.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to June 6, 2024 for ruling on the bail applications while the defendants were remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Facility.

The defendants allegedly swindled one Mackombo Omoila, Managing Director/CEO of Architekon Nigeria Limited of the said sum for a purported non-existent World Health Organisation contract to construct six Unity Houses for hospitals in six Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State. They were arrested on January 31, 2024 in Anambra State.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

EVENTS

BREAKING: Police take over PDP Secretariat in Abuja

Published

3 days ago

June 30, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

As tension continues to mount over the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting, which is expected to hold on Monday, armed policemen have taken over its secretariat.

According to an official of the party who spoke to newsmen, the police were deployed to stop the proposed NEC Expanded Caucus Meeting.

Though some staff members of the party were initially allowed to go into the premises of the secretariat without any resistance from the police, they were later sent out.

At the time of filing this report, journalists were also asked to leave the premises of the secretariat, while some policemen were seen cordoning off Dalaba Street, which is the road leading to Wadata Plaza.

Details shortly…

EVENTS

Police arrest suspected cultist during meeting, recover firearm in Ogun

Published

3 days ago

June 29, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Operatives from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Ogun State Police Command, have arrested a suspected member of the Eiye Confraternity, Ismail Afolabi, at Saje Area of Car Wash, Abeokuta.

The suspect was arrested following credible intelligence received by the police that members of the Eiye Confraternity were holding a secret meeting with the intention to carry out criminal activities.

The police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirming the arrest to DAILY POST on Sunday, said the suspect was apprehended while attempting to flee.

Odutola stated that he was found in possession of a cross bag containing a loaded cut-to-size double-barrel shotgun and live ammunition.

She said, “On Friday, June 27, 2025, at about 05:30 pm , the Ogun State Police Command received credible intelligence that members of the Eiye Confraternity were holding a clandestine meeting with suspected criminal intent at the Saje Area of Car Wash, Abeokuta.

“Operatives from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit swiftly mobilized to the scene. On arrival, one suspect, Ismail Afolabi ‘m’, was found in possession of a cross-body bag containing a cut-to-size double-barrel shotgun loaded with live ammunition.”

The spokesperson noted that preliminary investigations have commenced, and efforts are ongoing to track down other accomplices.

The Command restated its commitment to eradicating cult-related violence and maintaining peace and order in the state.

EVENTS

Suspected gunmen kidnap man in Benue

Published

4 days ago

June 29, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Gunmen have kidnapped a middle-aged man, Ortese Tarlumun Joseph, in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, after shooting at his family during an attempted escape.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama revealed the incident in a post on X on Sunday.

He said the abduction happened on Friday, June 27, around 6:00 p.m. near Tomanyiin Main Village in Nzorov district.

Sources told Makama that Ortese was returning from the farm with his wife and son when two armed men came out of the bush and ordered them to lie down.

“Out of fear, the family tried to run, and the gunmen fired two gunshots.

“Mrs. Ortese said she later heard her husband calling for help but could not find him. It was later discovered that the attackers had taken him away,” Makama wrote

The family’s Toyota Corolla was found at the scene.

Security personnel launched a search operation shortly after the incident, but neither the kidnappers nor the victim had been found at the time of reporting.