Ex-Anambra speaker charged with 419 scam

Saturday, February 27, 2016 6:35 pm

Kanayo Chris Enemuo, right, with Alex Okafor

Former speaker of the Anambra House of Assembly, Kanayo Chris Enemuo and former commissioner for lands , survey and urban planning, Alex Okafor have been docked before Justice. I.N Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Awka, Anambra State, on a five count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence.

The EFCC arraigned the duo on 25 February, accusing them of obtaining N4.245million for a fraudulent land transaction, for Plot Os/9 Iyagu Housing Estate in the state capital.

The offence is 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.

Enemuo, allegedly abused his position as a public servant and issued documents purportedly emanating from the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Planning to mask his fraudulent scheme.

One of the counts reads:

“That you, Barrister Kanayo Chris Enemuo, Alex Okafor sometime in February 2013 at Awka, Anambra state, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N4,000,000.00 (four million naira) from one Mr. Anthony Okonkwo when you sold to him a plot of land at plot Os/9 Iyagu Housing Estate, Awka, Anambra state under the false pretence that the said plot of land belongs to you, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(a) the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and Punishable under section 1(3)of the same Act”.

The accused persons pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges read to them.

In view of their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, Simon M. Ibekute asked the court for a trial date.

In response, counsel to the defendants, Don N. Ezeani, prayed the court to grant his clients bail.

After listening to both counsels, Justice Oweibo granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N5 million each and one surety each in like sum.

The sureties must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the Court with Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and their addresses must also be verified.

The accused persons are to be remanded in EFCC custody pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions.

The case was adjourned to May 3 and 4, 2016 for hearing.