EFCC: Court Remands Couple Over N10m Land Fraud as 10 Others Jailed for Naira Abuse

By Joseph Sunday

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, recorded fresh convictions this week after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt remanded a couple over alleged N10 million land fraud, while 10 persons were jailed in Delta and Edo States for naira mutilation.

EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said Justice S.I. Mark of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday ordered the remand of Julie Akue Onwuegbu and her husband, Wisdom Onwuegbu, at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.

The couple was arraigned by the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate on a three-count charge of advance fee fraud and obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N10 million.

Prosecutors allege that between April 11 and 15, 2024, the defendants defrauded one Taofik Bello by posing as owners of a plot at Queen Park Estate, Ohia Eli-Mini, Eneka, in Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State.

According to the petitioner, he paid N10 million in two instalments, N1 million and N9 million, into the first defendant’s Ecobank and First Bank accounts after being introduced to her by one Enitan Joseph. Though he was issued a signed Deed of Conveyance, he was stopped from developing the land by another claimant.

EFCC investigations later revealed that Julie Onwuegbu did not own any land in the estate. Part of the proceeds was allegedly traced to her husband’s company account.

The couple pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel Igwe Okoronkwo applied for bail, while prosecution counsel, whose first name was not given, Igwu, asked for a trial date and their remand.

Justice Mark adjourned the matter to July 10, 2026, for ruling on the bail application.

10 Convicted for Naira Mutilation
In a separate action, the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate secured the conviction of 10 persons for naira mutilation before two Federal High Courts.

Justice F. A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Asaba, sentenced Lucky Onoberhie, Happy Joseph Isioma, Friday Ehiedu, Collins Ndudi Albert, Okorie Builder, Ernest Achieme, Isicheli Desmond Chijioke, and Nwosu Davison to 12 months imprisonment each, with an option of a N100,000 fine.

Similarly, Justice C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court, Benin City, sentenced Enadegh Agbonmware and Lucky Osaro to six months imprisonment each or a N100,000 fine.

The convicts were prosecuted for spraying naira notes at social events, contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007. All pleaded guilty.

One of the charges, against Ernest Achieme, stated that he sprayed N50,000 in N200 notes at a wedding in Kwale on December 31, 2025.

All 10 convicts signed written undertakings to be of good behaviour going forward.

The EFCC reiterated that tampering with the naira remains a punishable offence under extant laws.