IGP Files Charges against UBA Over alleged N242 million Swindle
An amended charge against United Bank for Africa, UBA, two of its employees, and Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited has been filed by the Inspector General of Police before a Lagos Federal High Court. A Lagos businessman, Chief Vincent Ezenwa, is alleged to have been swindled to the tune of N242,015,000.00 equivalent to $950,000 by its Managing Director and its company, Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited.
This move by the police boss is to strengthen the criminal justice system and standardize investigation processes in the Nigeria Police Force.
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In a four-count charge filed before the court by the Police prosecuting counsel, Legal /prosecution section, Force Headquarters Louis Edet House, Abuja, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Simon Lough SAN, leading another Police Legal officer from Lagos, Barrister Morufu Animashaun, it was alleged that Emeka Njoku 41years, a former marketer with United Bank for Africa, Onyinyechi Oraegbunem, “F” former branch manager of UBA Aba branch, and Pamela Onaga “F” former staff of UBA/account officer to Vincent Ezenwa now at large and United Bank for Africa, between 3rd April 2013 and 31st of June 2013 in Lagos and Aba, while acting in concert and with intent to defraud Chief Nnamdi Vincent Ezenwa, Managing Director of Vinna Investment Limited aids and abets Chibueze Ojeh 40 years Managing Director of Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited of Lekki County homes and Castle & Logistic Limited to commit the offence of obtaining money by false pretence when they induced Chief Nnamdi Vincent Ezenwa to transfer the sum of N242,015,000 from his UBA account to the UBA account of Castle Equipment & Logistics in Lagos which was withdrawn by Chibueze Ojeh.
The offences alleged to have been committed by UBA and the other four other defendants are contrary to and punishable under sections,1(1),1(3), and 8(a) of the advance fee fraud and other related offences Act 2006.
The amended charge as filed before the court by the combined Police prosecutors from Abuja and Lagos.
Count 1
That you Chibueze Ojeh ‘m’ 40 years MD/CEO of Castle Equipment &
Logistics Limited of Lekki County Homes, Westend Estate Road 4, House
4 Lekki Lagos state, Obinna Nwosu ‘m’ 45years of No. 1 Shofidiya Close, Adegoke Estate, Masha Roundabout Sururere Lagos, Emeka Njoku ‘m’
41years former marketer with United Bank for Africa, of No. 3 Azikiwe Road Port Harcourt, Castle Equipment & Logistics Ltd and United Bank for Africa; Onyinyechi Oraegbunem ‘F’ former branch manager of UBA Aba branch and Pamela Onaga ‘F’ former staff of UBA/account officer to Vincent Ezenwa now at large between 3rd April 2013 and 31st June 2013 in Lagos and Aba, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court while acting in concert and with intent to defraud Chief Nnamdi Vincent Ezenwa MD/CEO of Vinna Investment Limited conspired together to commit felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretence contrary to section 8(a) of the advance fee fraud and other related offences Act.
Count 2
That you Chibueze Ojeh ‘m’ 40years MD/CEO of Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited of Lekki County Homes, Westend Estate Road 4, House 4 Lekki Lagos state, Obinna Nwosu ‘m’ 45years of No. 1 Shofidiya Close, Adegoke Estate, Masha Roundabout Surulere Lagos, Emeka Njoku ‘m’
41years former marketer with United Bank for Africa, of No. 3 Azikiwe Road Port Harcourt, Castle Equipment & Logistics Ltd and United Bank for Africa; Onyinyechi Oraegbunem ‘F’ former branch manager of UBA Aba branch and Pamela Onaga ‘F’ former staff of UBA Aba branch/account officer to Vincent Ezenwa now at large between 3rd April 2013 and 31st June 2013 in Lagos/Aba, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court while acting in concert and with intent to defraud Chief Nnamdi Vincent Ezenwa, MD/CEO of Vinna Investment Limited deceitfully induced Chief Nnamdi Vincent Ezenwa through an agreement and collected the sum of N242,015,000,00 (Two hundred and Forty two Million, Fifteen thousand Naira) Equivalent to $950,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) from him on the pretence that you will transfer the Dollars to his customers in Italy but having collected the money you converted same to your use, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance fee fraud and other related offences Act 2006.
Count 3
That you Chibueze Ojeh ‘m’ 40years MD/CEO of Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited of Lekki County Homes, Westend Estate Road 4, House 4 Lekki Lagos state and Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited, between 3rd April 2013 and 31st June 2013 in Lagos, and Aba within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court while acting in concert and with intent to defraud Chief Nnamdi Vincent Ezenwa, MD/CEO of Vinna Investment Limited deceitfully induced Chief Nnamdi Vincent Ezenwa through an agreement and collected the sum of N242,015,000,00 (Two hundred and Forty-two Million, Fifteen thousand Naira) Equivalent to $950,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) from him on the pretence that you will transfer the Dollars to his customers in Italy but having collected the money you converted same to your use, you thereby committed an offense contrary to section 1(1) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance fee fraud and other related offenses Act 2006.
Count 4
That you Emeka Njoku ‘m’ 41 years, former marketer with United Bank for Africa, of No. 3 Azikiwe Road Port Harcourt; Onyinyechi Oraegbunem `F’ former branch manager of UBA Aba branch and Pamela Onaga ‘F’ former staff of UBA/account officer to Vincent Ezenwa now at large, and United Bank for Africa, between 3rd April 2013 and 31st June 2013 in Lagos and Aba, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court while acting in concert and with intent to defraud Chief Nnamdi Vincent Ezenwa, MD/CEO of Vinna Investment Limited aids and abets Chibueze Ojeh ‘m’ 40years MD/CEO of Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited of Lekki County Homes, Westend Estate road 4 House 4 Lekki Lagos state and Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited to commit of the offence of obtaining money by false pretence when you induced Chief Nnamdi Vincent Ezenwa to transfer the sum of N242,015,000,00 (Two hundred and Forty two Million, Fifteen thousand Naira) Equivalent to $950,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) from his UBA account in Aba branch to the UBA account of Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited in Lagos Which was withdrawn by Chibueze Ojeh, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance fee fraud and other related offences Act 2006.
The charge has been adjourned till after Easter vacation for trial.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
