EFCC arraigns lawyer for alleged N41m fraud in Enugu

Fowewe Abdullateef

The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has charged one Barrister Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo before Justice E. N. Oluedo of the Enugu State High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu for alleged fraud.

The lawyer is facing prosecution on a one-count charge, bordering on stealing by conversion to the tune of  N41million.

His arraignment was contained in a statement shared on the official X (formally Twitter) handle of the anti-graft agency, on Thursday.

The statement reads, “The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Barrister Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo before Justice E. N. Oluedo of the Enugu State High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu for fraud.

“He is facing prosecution on a one-count charge, bordering on stealing by conversion to the tune of  N41million. The offence is contrary to Section 342 of CAP 30, Criminal Code Law of Enugu State and punishable under Section 353 (L) of the same Law.

“He pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charge was read to him, following which prosecution counsel, Ajobiewe Rotimi Enitan asked the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in a correctional facility, while the defendant, who appeared for himself, applied that he be allowed to continue enjoying an earlier bail granted to him by Justice H. O. Eya of the same court, on the same matter.

“After listening to both sides, Justice Oluedo granted the defendant’s application and adjourned the matter to May 13, 14 and 15, 2025 for trial.

“The defendant was initially arraigned before Justice Eya of the same court on June 23, 2022. He pleaded ‘not guilty’ and was granted bail.”