The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Edo State Command has nabbed a suspected fraudster, Eze Njoku for an alleged scam of #129 million.
The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has therefore arraigned him before the court.
Eze Njoku was on Friday October 15, 2021 arraigned before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State.
He was arraigned for retaining the proceeds of an alleged fraud to himself. Njoku allegedly received the sum of N129, 000,000.00 from Smart Alban.
According to the report Smart Alban is the managing director of Smart Alban Global Investment Limited and SA-FX Global Limited, a forex company.
Smart Alban had allegedly diverted the money people invested with him into his own personal pocket. Smart Alban transferred the money to Eze Njoku to prevent him being caught and he absconded.
Eze Njoku was however arrested by the EFCC following technical intelligence and arraigned for a six count charge.
The charge against him read: “That you Eze Njoku (M) on or about the 21st day of August, 2020 at Delta State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court directly took possession or control of the sum of N10,000,000 (ten million naira) transferred into your bank account number 6718072011 domiciled in First City Monument Bank, from the bank account of SA-FX Global which funds you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of unlawful act of Smart Alban Ike to wit: obtaining by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (prohibition ) Act 2011 (as Amended in 2012) and punishable under section 15(3)of the same Act.”
Eze Njoku however pleaded not guilty. Following this prosecution, Francis Jirbo, pleaded for an adjournment of the case and remand of the defendant in detention.
Justice Okon Abang thus adjourned the hearing of the case to January 21, 2022, and ordered that the defendant(Eze Njoku), be remanded in detention.
