EFCC arraigns man for N44m employment scam

Glory Ebomah

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Anthony Uwa along with his companies: Okmar Consultancy limited and Dermo Impex Nigeria limited, before Justice Z. B. Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Abuja on four counts bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and employment scam to the tune of N44, 235,700 (Forty-four Million, Two Hundred and Thirty-five Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira).

Uwa was alleged to have, at various times, collected the said sum from fifty-two thousand job applicants on the pretext that he will provide employment to them.

One of the counts reads: “That you Anthony Uwa and Dermo Impex Nigeria limited between July 2020 and September 2020, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain the sum of N44, 235,700 (Forty-four Million, Two Hundred and Thirty-five Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira), from fifty thousand job applicants under the false pretence that you will provide employment for them, which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006, and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act”.

Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to him.

In view of his pleas, prosecuting counsel, Y.Y. Tarfa requested a trial date and prayed the court to remand the defendant.

But the defence counsel, Charles U. Ikechukwu moved a motion, praying the court to grant his client bail pending the hearing and determination of the case.

Justice Abubakar thereafter granted the defendant bail in the sum of N25 Million and one surety in like sum. The surety must be of good character and have a title document within the jurisdiction of the court. He is also to deposit two recent passports each to the court registrar.

The matter was adjourned till May 24, 2022 for trial.