The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a lawyer identified as Barrister Ifeanyichukwu Okonkw
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a lawyer identified as Barrister Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo, at the Enugu State High Court in Independence Layout, Enugu, for committing N41 million fraud.
This was revealed via court ruling by Justice E. N. Oluedo, on Wednesday, February 26.
Okonkwo was arraigned during a court ruling by Justice E. N. Oluedo, on Wednesday, February 26.
“He is facing prosecution on a one-count charge, bordering on stealing by conversion to the tune of N41 million. The offence is contrary to Section 342 of CAP 30, Criminal Code Law of Enugu State and punishable under Section 353 (L) of the same Law,” an EFCC post on X read.
The EFCC also presented a charge sheet against the lawyer.
The charge sheet read, “That you, Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo on or about the 23rd day of November 2015 in Enugu within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently converted to your own use, the sum of Forty-one Million Naira (N41, 000, 000. 00) being money received by you from one Onyishi Maduka Samuel for the family of late Ifemelunma Okoye, in your capacity as the liquidator of Ifemelunma and Company Enterprises Limited and thereby committed an offence.”
However, Okonkwo pleaded not guilty when the charge was presented to him.
Following this, the prosecution counsel, Ajobiewe Enitan, requested the court to set a trial date and to have the defendant remanded in a correctional facility.
Meanwhile, Okonkwo, who represented himself, requested to be allowed to continue on the bail previously granted to him by Justice H. O. Eya of the same court in relation to the same case.
“After listening to both sides, Justice Oluedo granted the defendant’s application and adjourned the matter to May 13, 14 and 15, 2025 for trial. The defendant was initially arraigned before Justice Eya of the same court on June 23, 2022. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail,” the post added.
