The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday presented its second witness, Ayotunde Solademi, a staff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of Legal Attache, United States Consulate, Lagos, in the ongoing trial of one Uchenna Igwegbe, who is being prosecuted on a three-count charge bordering on retention of proceeds of criminal conduct and obtaining money by false pretence.
He was before Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos for alleged fraud of $1,030,302.00.
One of the counts reads: “Uchenna Justice Igwegbe, sometime between July 2013 and November 2013 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, retained in your control the aggregate sum of $1,030,302.00 only through your account domiciled with First Bank, being proceeds of criminal conduct on behalf of Obinna Kelvin (now at large).”
He is also accused of facilitating “the fraudulent obtaining of funds from unsuspecting members of the public totaling the sum of $937,073.00”.
The offences are contrary to Section 17 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Act, 2004 and Section 1 (1)(a) and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Fraud Offences Act 2006.
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when he was arraigned on April 1, 2021.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Solademi, who was led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Ahmed Yerima, narrated how Igwegbe engaged in internet fraud facilitated by…
