The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Enugu Zonal Directorate, has arraigned Barrister Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo before Justice E. N. Oluedo of the Enugu State High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, on charges of fraud.
Okonkwo is facing prosecution on a one-count charge of alleged theft by conversion amounting to ₦41 million. The offence contravenes Section 342 of CAP 30, Criminal Code Law of Enugu State, and is punishable under Section 353 (L) of the same law.
According to the charge, Okonkwo, in his capacity as the liquidator of Ifemelunma and Company Enterprises Limited, allegedly misappropriated ₦41 million received from one Onyishi Maduka Samuel for the family of the late Ifemelunma Okoye on November 23, 2015.
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” when the charge was read to him. The EFCC’s counsel, Ajobiewe Rotimi Enitan, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand Okonkwo in a correctional facility. However, the defendant, who represented himself, applied to continue enjoying the bail earlier granted by Justice H. O. Eya of the same court in a related matter.
Justice Oluedo granted Okonkwo’s application and adjourned the case to May 13, 14, and 15, 2025, for trial.
Okonkwo was initially arraigned before Justice Eya on June 23, 2022, where he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.
