The Lagos zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned one Joseph Nworhabiko, aka Joseph Azunda, and three others before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, for fraud. The other suspects are Jackson Precious Kamalu, George Iwuagwu, Richie Edward Ojeba, John Ovie Asara (at large), Beauty Wugate Adele (at large) and Hajia Jemila Yunusa (at large),
The defendants were said to have defrauded the Managing Director of Wealth Builders Technical Services Limited of N38,570,000, sometime in March in 2019. The victim alleged that the suspects approached him about a contract to be awarded and funded by Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited for the installation of solar panels at Egi community in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The victim stated that the suspects requested money at different times for the lobbying process that would lead to the award of the contract, which he later found out to be non-existent.
The defendants were arraigned on nine counts bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining money by false pretences. The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecutor, S.O. Daji, asked for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in a correctional centre. Justice Dada adjourned the case till October 26, 2020.
PUNCH