Rita Odafe
Lawyer Faces Court in ₦12 Million Land Fraud Case
Benjamin Nwobodo, a lawyer, has been taken to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged land fraud involving ₦12 million in Enugu State.
He was arraigned by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of EFCC in front of Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo at the Federal High Court located in Enugu’s Independence Layout. The charges against him include forgery and obtaining by deceit.
One of the charges states: “On January 15, 2014, you, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo, fraudulently received ₦9 million from Wilson Ikeani Igwe under the guise of selling three plots of land in Emene, Enugu State, knowing this was not true, which constitutes an offense according to the Advanced Fee Fraud Act of 2006.
Another charge mentions: “On December 15, 2014, you, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo, similarly fraudulently obtained ₦3 million from Wilson Ikeani Igwe under false pretense of selling a single plot of land in Emene, Enugu State, knowing this was false, also violating the Advanced Fee Fraud Act of 2006.
Nwobodo has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following his plea, the EFCC’s Chief Superintendent, Chikezie Raymond Edozie, requested the court set a trial date and for the defendant to be held at the Enugu State Correctional Facility while they await the trial.
In response, Nwobodo, representing himself, made an oral request for bail, which the court agreed to with specific conditions.
The bail conditions require two sureties with a total value of ₦25 million, one must own property in Enugu, while the other must be a family member and provide three years of tax receipts to the court.
Both sureties must also submit affidavits demonstrating their financial status, and the EFCC is tasked with verifying their details within a week of submission.
Additionally, Nwobodo is to surrender his international passport to the Deputy Court Registrar.
The court allowed him to go free on personal recognizance but instructed that he comply with the bail conditions within ten days; failure to do so will result in his arrest and detention.
The trial has been scheduled for May 13 and 14, 2025.
