The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a lawyer, Alexander Uchenna Ozougwu, before the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, for allegedly defrauding his victims to the tune of N1,323,850,000 through a bogus foreign exchange investment scheme.
The lawyer was arraigned on six–count charges bordering on obtaining money by false pretence in contravention of provisions of Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Count one of the charges against him read: “That you Alexander Uchenna Ozogwu sometime in September 2024 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did take possession of the total sum of N268,850,000 through a bank account with account name- Starlight Attorneys which you knew formed proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin, prayed the court to remand the defendant in a correctional centre and fix a date for trial.
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The defence counsel, C. M.Onuchukwu, quickly informed the court of a bail application which he said was filed on self-recognisance for the defendant and also assured the court that he would make himself available for trial.
After listening to both counsels, the presiding judge, Justice Sergius Onah, granted the lawyer bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Onah said the sureties must be civil servants of grade level 12 and above and must have landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court.
The judge also ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport and two recent passport photographs with the court.
Justice Onah, therefore, adjourned the matter to March 31, 2025, for trial.
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