In a recent development, Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, has dismissed a bail application put forth by Chidiebere Cyril Ndigwe, who stands accused of orchestrating an employment scam and obtaining money under false pretenses while posing as the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought Ndigwe before the court on a two-count charge, alleging that he defrauded numerous job seekers by falsely presenting himself as the CMD of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
The prosecution’s case outlined that Ndigwe, alongside accomplices who remain at large, utilized Facebook to advertise purported employment opportunities within the hospital. Allegedly, they demanded sums ranging from N400,000 to N200,000 from candidates, falsely promising them job slots.
It was further alleged that Ndigwe managed to accumulate approximately N18 million from unsuspecting job seekers before authorities uncovered the fraudulent scheme.
One of the charges against Ndigwe, as presented in court, reads: “That you Chidiebere Cyril Ndigwe and others still at large, between 11th April 2023 and 25th April 2023, at Ilorin…did obtain the sum of Six Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira from Mrs Rukayat Joke Yusuf…under the false pretense that the money was for the cost of jobs…a pretense which you knew to be false…”
Upon his arraignment, Ndigwe pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
In opposition to Ndigwe’s bail application, the prosecuting counsel, Mustapha Kaigama, filed a 32-paragraph affidavit, citing the defendant’s lack of a verifiable address within or outside the jurisdiction. Additionally, Kaigama revealed that it took the EFCC 23 days to apprehend Ndigwe in Ebonyi State.
Despite the defense counsel, C.I Chime’s plea for bail, Justice Akinpelu ruled against Ndigwe’s release on bail, citing insufficient evidence presented by the defendant. The court adjourned the matter to a later date, to be communicated to all parties involved.
