Published 16th Mar, 2023

By Joseph Adeiye

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned an Indian national, a university professor and a businesswoman for cases of theft and fraud in Lagos on Thursday.

While Chandra Prakash Singh, the Indian national, was arraigned for stealing $200,000 in Lagos, Professor Uche Chigozie Edwin was arraigned for a N1.4 billion fraud case.

In a separate case, businesswoman Portia Emilia was in court for a N110 million fraud case.

SINGH AND $200,000 THEFT IN LAGOS

“The Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC, on Thursday, March 16, 2023, arraigned an Indian, one Chandra Prakash Singh, before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on a seven-count charge bordering on stealing to the tune of over Two Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($200,000). He pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the offence,” an EFCC statement read in part.

“In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, B.B. Bala, asked for the defendant’s remand and a date for trial.

“Justice Oweibo remanded the defendant in the correctional facility and adjourned the matter till June 27, 2023, for the commencement of trial.”

There was no more information about the suspect’s victim.

Singh will remain in a correctional facility for the next two months pending trial commencement.

PROFESSOR EDWIN’S N1.4 BILLION FRAUD CHARGE

The EFCC also arraigned Edwin for an alleged N1.4 billion fraud before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. Edwin and his companies Visionary Integrated Consulting Limited, NEMAD Associates Limited and Revamp Global Enterprise, face an 11-count charge which includes conspiracy, retention and illegal conversion of around N1,473,367,046.

Edwin pleaded “not guilty” to all 11 charges, and Mobolaji Akintunde, his defence counsel, made an application for his bail.

“In a short ruling, Justice Oweibo admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1m (One Million Naira) and two sureties in like sum,” the EFCC stated.

“The defendant was also ordered to deposit his passport with the court.”

Oweibo adjourned the case till June 27 to commence Edwin’s trial.

BUSINESSWOMAN RE-ARRAIGNMENT OVER N110M FRAUD

“The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Thursday, March 16, 2023, re-arraigned one Portia Emilia for an alleged N110 million fraud before Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos,” another EFCC statement read.

Emilia and Savanah Crest Investment Limited, her company, face an amended five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal, obtaining money and property by false pretence and retaining stolen property.

Emilia pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges too. The Special Offences Court allowed Emilia to continue benefiting an earlier granted bail.

The case was adjourned until June 22.

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