Police Arraign Businessman Over Alleged N50m Fraud

The police in Lagos have arraigned a businessman, Paul Ezefulukwe, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations of obtaining N50 million under false pretences and issuing worthless checks.

Ezefulukwe was docked before Justice Yellim Bogoro alongside a company, Peterhead Limited, on three-count charges of fraud by Police operatives from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).

The police prosecutor, Samuel Ogala, had informed the judge that the defendant and his company committed the offences in February 2023.

Ogala also claimed that the defendant defrauded one Lucky Uwakwe of N50 million under false pretences, claiming the money was for investment purposes.

The prosecutor, however, alleged that Ezefulukwe did not use the funds as promised and then issued three cheques from United Bank for Africa (UBA), which were returned by the bank for insufficient funds.

He further maintained that the offences violated sections 8 and 1(1)(3) of the Nigerian Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 1(1)(a) & (b) of the Dishonoured Cheques Act, Cap. D 11 Laws of Nigeria, 2004.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, prompting the judge to grant him bail.

The judge had fixed February 19 for the commencement of the trial

The charge reads: “That PAUL EZEFULUKWE ‘M’ and PIETECH LIMITED, sometimes in February 2023 in Lagos State within this Court’s jurisdiction, conspired to commit a felony: obtaining money by false pretences, an offence punishable under section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

“That PAUL EZEFULUKWE ‘M’ and PIETECH LIMITED, in February 2023, in Lagos State, knowingly obtained N50 Million from MR. LUCKY UWAKWE by falsely claiming it would be used for an investment, knowing the representation was false, thereby committing an offence under section 1(1)(3) of the Anti-Fraud Act, 2006.

“That in February 2023, in Lagos State, PAUL EZEFULUKWE ‘M’ and PIETECH LIMITED obtained credit via United Bank for Africa Plc., using Cheque No. 0111393511 payable to MR. LUCKY UWAKWE, which was dishonoured due to insufficient funds, committing an offence under section 1(1)(a) & (b) of the Dishonoured Cheque Offences Act, CAP. D11 LFN 2004.