EFCC Arraigns Two For N1.6m Land Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today arraigned Ozulu Dominic and Ogbobe Michael before Justice D.V. Agishir of the Federal High Court Enugu on a 6-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretence.

According to EFCC press release, the accused persons allegedly sold a plot of land in Nsukka belonging to Professor Charles Okigbo to one Omeye Anthony, claiming that Okigbo had given the land as gift to Mr. Dominic Ozulu after serving as his caretaker for 17 years. Ozulu allegedly brought a deed of Assignment purportedly signed by Professor Okigbo as proof of transfer of the title of the land to him. Based on this evidence, the victim made a payment of One Million Five Hundred Thousand naira (N1.5m) into  Ozulu’s account and another One Hundred and Fifty Thousand naira (N150,000) as agency fee.

But when he started developing the land, Prof. Okigbo surfaced and claimed he never transfered his title to Dominic Ozulu or anybody else.

The first two counts of the charge read:
Count one: "That you Mr. Dominic Ozulu and Michael Ogbobe on or about the 19th January, 2012 in Nsukka within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud conspired among yourselves to commit felony to wit: obtaining money under false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act".

Count two: "That you Mr Dominic Ozulu and Micheal Ogbobe on or about the 19th January, 2012 in Nsukka within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud obtained the sum of one million, five hundred thousand naira (N1,500,000.00) from one Mr. Anthony Omoye when you falsely represented yourselves to be the owners of a plot of land situate and lying at Ofuluonu Road, off Edem Road, Nsukka, Nsukka Local Government Area  which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act".

The two accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of Three Hundred Thousand naira (N300,000.00) each and one surety in like sum. The sureties must be either civil servants living within the jurisdiction of the court, who are to deposit their letters of employment and last letter of  promotion with the court, or businessmen living within the jurisdiction of the court who must also deposit their business certificates and 2 passport photographs each with the court.

The matter was adjourned to 17th February, 2015 for hearing.