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By Oscar Okhifo
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has approved the prosecution of former Anambra State Governor, Senator Andy Uba and one Benjamin Etu over an alleged N400 million fraud.
The Federal Government, acting through the Nigeria Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), is accusing Uba and Etu of conspiring in 2022 to defraud a businessman, George Uboh, by falsely promising him a federal government appointment in exchange for the sum.
According to court filings, the defendants allegedly assured Uboh that he would be appointed as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), a claim said to be backed by forged documents and audio recordings presented as evidence.
An amended two-count charge was filed against Uba and Etu in March 2025, while a third defendant, Crystal Uba, earlier included in the original charge, was dropped following a legal review by the DPP. A fourth suspect, identified as Hajiya Fatima, remains at large.
A letter dated May 8, 2025, from the DPP to the Inspector-General of Police stated: “Having considered the entire case file, this department is of the opinion that a prima facie case of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence is established against the suspects.”
The letter further directed the Police to take immediate steps to arraign the defendants, adding that the evidence submitted , including the petition, documentary proof, and audio recordings , was sufficient to proceed.
The case, initially assigned to Justice Inyang Ekwo before his suspension, has now been reassigned to Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
At the resumed hearing on July 3, only Etu and his lawyer were present in court. Uba’s counsel informed the court that the former senator was in the United States for surgery but failed to present any medical documents to support the claim.
Prosecution counsel, A.M. Abdullahi, told the court: “The Attorney-General of the Federation has considered the case and given the go-ahead for the arraignment of the suspects.”
Following the development, Justice Umar adjourned the matter to September 24, 2025, for the formal arraignment of the defendants.
The charges, brought under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, include conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence. The prosecution says it has sufficient documentary and audio evidence to proceed.