Accused Escapes Mob Attack In Court

A mild drama occurred at the Federal High Court, Enugu, last Thursday, as an accused, Christian Ebuzoeme, escaped attack by some persons whom he allegedly defrauded.

The victims, who stormed the court as early as 8.00 a.m., threatened to leave a daring mark on the accused for allegedly defrauding them of over N4 million.

One of the women who spoke on the condition of anonymity said she was defrauded by the accused and one Amechi Okoye, after depositing her N4 million in their investment scheme. According to her, the accused defrauded them through an investment scheme, popularly known as ‘Wonder Bank’. It took the intervention of some men from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who filed the suit against the accused to calm the women. The accused had on October 10, 2011 obtained N2, 520, 000 from Felix Okenwa, on the pretext that the sum would be invested on his behalf with interest.

According to the three-count charge, the accused and Okoye now at large conspired and obtain money by false pretence.

The EFCC alleged that the offence contravened Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act.

The EFCC alleged that Ebuzoeme, Okoye and Karchak Services Limited between July 2011 and March 2012 in Enugu advertised for deposits without a valid banking licence.

The commission said that the accused committed an offence contrary to section 44(1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act.

The EFCC counsel, Mr Johnson Ojogbane, applied for the striking out of Okoye’s name because he was still at large.

The counsel to the accused, Mr J.O. Agha, also applied for bail of his client. Justice Mohammed Shuaibu ordered that the name of Okoye be struck out from the charge and refused the aplication for bail. Shuaibu adjourned the case to November 21, for hearing.