The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Nweke Izuchukwu Jude before the Federal High Court in Enugu, accusing him of impersonating officers of the anti-graft agency.
In a statement released on Monday via X, the EFCC noted that Jude appeared before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar facing two counts of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence amounting to N1,100,000 (One Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira).
According to the charge sheet, “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.”
The alleged offense violates Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
Jude pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him. The EFCC prosecutor, Ajobiewe Rotimi Enitan, requested a trial date and asked for Jude to be remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Facility until trial.
The defense counsel, E.S. Umeojiakor, informed the court of a pending bail application and requested Jude’s release on lenient terms.
After hearing both sides, Justice Umar granted Jude bail under the following conditions: “bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court. One of the sureties must have a landed property within the jurisdiction and they must be verified by the court Registrar.”
The trial was adjourned to October 9, 2024, while Jude remains in custody pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions
