The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, arraigned Benjamin Okoye, Moughalu David Arinze, Okey Okeke, Ekene Mgbeokwere and Eboh Thaddeus on a one-count charge bordering on alleged tampering with a forfeited property before Justice A.O.Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The count reads: “That you, Ilongwo Angela (NOW AT LARGE), Benjamin Okoye , Moughalu David Arinze, Okey Okeke, Ekene Mgbeokwere, Eboh Thaddeus, sometime in July, 2024 in Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without due authorization dealt, with the property of Obinna Ezenwaka situate and located at Plot 165C, Block 12, Amuwo Odofin, Ajayi Street, Diamond Estate, Amuwo Odofin Lagos, subject of interim forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 32(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.”
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charge preferred against them.
In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Hannatu .U. KofarNaisa, informed the court of the presence of a witness and that he was ready to proceed with the trial.
Counsel to the first to fourth defendants, M.C. Odo informed the court of pending bail applications for the defendants and also prayed the court to move the same. Counsel to fifth defendant, N. Chukwuemeka, informed the court of the existing bail previously granted to the defendant.
Odo further prayed the court to admit the defendants to bail, adding that they had been in prison custody for some time. However, KofarNaisa, in response, informed the court that she had not received the bail applications being moved by the counsel to the first to fourth defendants and that it was not before the court.
The court confirmed it was not in its record.
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charge preferred against them.
In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Hannatu .U. KofarNaisa, informed the court of the presence of a witness and that he was ready to proceed with the trial.
Counsel to the first to fourth defendants, M.C. Odo informed the court of pending bail applications for the defendants and also prayed the court to move the same. Counsel to fifth defendant, N. Chukwuemeka, informed the court of the existing bail previously granted to the defendant.
Odo further prayed the court to admit the defendants to bail, adding that they had been in prison custody for some time. However, KofarNaisa, in response, informed the court that she had not received the bail applications being moved by the counsel to the first to fourth defendants and that it was not before the court.
The court confirmed it was not in its record.
