The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned an alleged fake Bureau De Change operator, Okeke Ejike Callistus, before the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha over an alleged fraud involving N78.3 million.
Callistus was docked before Justice D. A. Onyefulu on a 10-count charge bordering on forgery and stealing.
According to the Commission, the defendant, who traded under the name Nwachimereze Amen Resources, allegedly diverted funds entrusted to him for foreign transfer.
One of the charges stated that the defendant, on May 2, 2024, in Onitsha, fraudulently converted N62.7 million belonging to businessman Ezeugwu Leonard Chinedu, who operates Leatez Enterprises, for personal use.
Another count alleged that between May 3 and May 7, 2024, he similarly converted an additional N15.55 million belonging to the same complainant.
The offences are said to contravene provisions of the Criminal Code Law of Anambra State, with penalties prescribed under the same law.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Assistant Commander Rotimi Enitan Ajobiewe, urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
However, defence counsel, Hypolite Ohaneche, informed the court of a pending bail application and requested that his client be granted bail.
Ajobiewe opposed the application, arguing that the defendant posed a flight risk, citing an earlier instance where he allegedly jumped administrative bail granted by the Commission.
In a ruling, Justice Onyefulu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties.
The court stipulated that one of the sureties must present a valid tax clearance certificate, while both must be relatives of the defendant, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and possess valid National Identification Numbers.
The defendant was initially arrested following a petition by the complainant, who alleged that he handed over N78.3 million to Callistus for transfer to a business associate in China.
Investigations revealed that while part of the money was remitted, the defendant allegedly issued fake telex documents purportedly from “ABA Bank of Cambodia” for the balance.
The EFCC further disclosed that during interrogation, the defendant admitted receiving the full amount but confessed to diverting a portion of the funds for personal use. The case was adjourned for trial.
