The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned a legal practitioner, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo, before the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, on a 20-count amended charge bordering on forgery, possession of forged documents, and obtaining by false pretence involving N15.7 million.
Nwobodo was re-arraigned before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo on April 23, 2026, where the amended charges were read to him. He pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The defendant was initially arraigned on January 27, 2025, on a five-count charge before the same court and had also pleaded not guilty. He was subsequently granted bail on self-recognizance, paving the way for his trial.
During the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, Chikezie Raymond Edozie, presented six witnesses and tendered several exhibits, all of which were admitted in evidence by the court.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution informed the court of an amended charge, which expanded the case to 20 counts. Following the defendant’s fresh plea, the prosecution closed its case, and the matter was adjourned to April 30, 2026, for the defence to open its case.
The court had earlier, on March 4, 2026, issued a stern warning to Nwobodo over alleged interference with prosecution witnesses, including acts of harassment and intimidation both within and outside the court premises.
Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo cautioned that the defendant’s bail could be revoked if such conduct persisted.
One of the charges alleges that Nwobodo, on January 15, 2014, forged a land purchase receipt valued at N9 million, purportedly issued by Onyekachi O. Nwocha and Christiana C. Nwocha, with intent to defraud.
Another count accuses him of presenting a forged land receipt worth N5.5 million to one Ude Chinedu Emmanuel on April 25, 2014, also with intent to defraud.
Nwobodo, who is representing himself in the case, is expected to open his defence at the next adjourned date.
