The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Professor Uche Chigozie Edwin before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. The charges allege that Professor Edwin, along with his companies Visionary Integrated Consulting Limited, NEMAD Associates Limited, and Revamp Global Enterprise, engaged in activities resulting in the defrauding of maize farmers to the sum of N1,473,367,046.04 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Seventy-three Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-seven Thousand, Forty-six Naira, Four Kobo).
The re-arraignment, which occurred on Thursday, February 15, 2024, involved 11-count charges related to conspiracy, retention, and conversion of funds amounting to N1,473,367,046.04. Professor Edwin had initially pleaded not guilty to these charges during his first arraignment on March 16, 2023, before Justice Nicholas Oweibo. However, due to Justice Oweibo’s transfer out of the Lagos Division, the case was reassigned to Justice Dipeolu.
One of the charges against Professor Edwin and his associated companies alleges a conspiracy to utilize funds belonging to the Maize Growers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MAGPAMAN), knowing that these funds were derived from fraudulent activities. Another charge pertains to the retention of a substantial sum in an account belonging to Visionary Integrated Consulting Limited, which was allegedly acquired through illicit means.
In response to the plea, the defense counsel, Emefo Etudo, requested that the defendant be allowed to continue on the bail granted by Justice Oweibo on August 7, 2023. However, the EFCC’s counsel, C.C. Okezie, expressed concerns regarding the defendant’s previous absences from court proceedings.
Emefo assured the court that measures would be taken to ensure the defendant’s presence in future proceedings. He noted that the defendant’s initial sureties, including his biological father and a legal practitioner, would be augmented to enhance accountability.
Justice Dipeolu subsequently scheduled the trial to commence on March 13, 2024, maintaining the defendant’s bail conditions as stipulated by Justice Oweibo. These conditions include a bail sum of N1 million and two sureties with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction, tax clearance certificates for three months, passport photographs, and the surrender of the defendant’s international passport to the court.
