The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Nweke Izuchukwu Jude before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Independence Layout, Enugu State. Jude faces charges of impersonation and obtaining by false pretense, amounting to N1.1 million.
The prosecution, led by EFCC Counsel Ajobiewe Rotimi Enitan, presented two counts against Jude. One count states: “That you, Nweke Izuchukwu Jude, sometime in April 2024, at Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1,100,000.00 from one Justin Chidozie Chukwukere by falsely presenting yourself as an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, an act contrary to Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”
Jude pleaded not guilty to the charges. The EFCC counsel requested a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in the Enugu State Correctional facility. However, defense counsel E. S. Umeojiakor sought bail for Jude on liberal terms, citing a pending bail application.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted Jude bail under the following conditions: N2 million with two sureties of the same amount. The sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, one must own a landed property within the jurisdiction, and both must be verified by the court Registrar.
The court adjourned the matter to October 9, 2024, for trial and remanded Jude in the Enugu State Correctional facility until bail conditions are met.
