ALLEGED N10M FRAUD: EFCC arraigns former Enugu Chief Judge

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Enugu State former Chief Judge, Innocent Umezuluike, was on Friday arraigned before Enugu High Court over alleged reception of N10 million in donations from a litigant in a pending and concluded civil matter he presided over.


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him before Justice Anthony Onovo on a one-count charge of using his office to confer corrupt and unfair advantage.

The N10 million donations, EFCC said was made by Arthur Eze, the Chief Executive Officer of Oranto Petroleum Ltd in February 2014 at the launch of Mr. Umezuluike’s book titled, ‘ABC of Contemporary Land Law in Nigeria’.

According to the EFCC, the said money was drawn from the account of Oranto Petroleum Ltd and paid into Mr. Umezuluike’s Zenith Bank Account.

Arguing the matter in court, EFCC lawyer, Wahab Shittu, said that the action is contrary to Section 19 of the Independent and Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (Laws of the Federation) 2000.

Umezuluike pleaded not guilty after the one-count charge was read out to him.

Read also: Ex-Jigawa gov, Turaki, gets bail, to report in EFCC office every 2 weeks

Subsequently, counsel to the defendant, Agu Gab-Agu, prayed the court to grant the former CJ bail on self-recognizance and to address him as “Honourable Justice”.

Gab-Agu further told the court that the erstwhile CJ was granted bail on self-recognizance in a similar case pending before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

He was however granted bail by Justice Onovo in the sum of N1 million who also ordered that he be addressed as Justice Umezuluike during the trial.

The matter was then adjourned till October 26-27, and November 2-3, 2017, for the substantive hearing.




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