currently Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture, Federal
Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Architect Pius Ugochukwu Ezeokafor
before Justice O. A Ezeoke of the State High Court sitting in Ekwulobia,
Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on a three-count charge
bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and gratification to the
tune of N27, 000,000.00 (Twenty Seven Million Naira).
One of the charges read, “that you, Arc. Pius Ugochukwu Ezeokafor
sometime between the year 2011 and 2012 at Oko, Aguata Local Government
Area within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Anambra State, did
commit felony to wit: with intent to defraud, obtained by false pretense
the sum of N27, 000,000.00 (Twenty Seven Million Naira) from one Emerson
Associates Limited and Dr. Okechukwu Enemuo (being Managing Director of
Emerson Associates Limited), when you represented to them that you would
help them get a contract of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) upon
payment of facilitation fee, which pretense you knew to be false and
thereby committed an offence”.
The defendant allegedly met the petitioners on-site at the Polytechnic
where they were executing two construction contracts and offered to use
his office as Director Of Physical Planning to swing a billion Naira
contract for them if they would pay him an N27million facilitation fee.
After receiving the payment, the defendant neither facilitated the
promised contract nor refund their money.
Upon arraignment today, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the three
count charges preferred against him by the EFCC.
In view of the plea of the defendant, the prosecuting counsel, Fortune
Amina I. Asemebo asked for a trial date while the defense counsel Lucius
Ogbuagu moved a motion for the bail of the defendant.
Justice Ezeoke, after hearing from both counsel, granted the defendant
bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety in like sum who must have
landed property within the jurisdiction of Court. The surety must be
recommended by a legal practitioner or town union president and must
show evidence of tax clearance for the past three years.
The court adjourned the matter till 14th, 21st October and 5th November
2020 for trial.