EFCC Arraigns Men, Companies Over N2.9m Kerosene Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday in Lagos arraigned two men and their companies over an alleged N2.9 million kerosene fraud.
Uzoma Okonkwo and Ugochukwu Okonkwo were charged before the Federal High Court, together with their companies– Mayor Global Resources Investment Ltd., and Okonkwo Energy Solution.
They are standing trial on a five-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, false pretences, stealing and issuance of dud cheque.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday in Lagos arraigned two men and their companies over an alleged N2.9 million kerosene fraud.
Uzoma Okonkwo and Ugochukwu Okonkwo were charged before the Federal High Court, together with their companies– Mayor Global Resources Investment Ltd., and Okonkwo Energy Solution.
They are standing trial on a five-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, false pretences, stealing and issuance of dud cheque.
The men, however, pleaded not guilty before Justice Okechukwu Okeke, who remanded them at the Ikoyi Prisons, pending the determination of their bail applications.
The EFCC counsel, Mr Albert Ozioko, said that the defendants committed the offences on Sept. 8, 2009 at No. 3, Point Road, Apapa, Lagos.
He said that they conspired to collect the sum from the Dzeren Nigeria Ltd., under the false pretences of supplying the company with 33 litres of kerosene.
Ozioko submitted that the duo received the sum, but never supplied the kerosene.
He said that they later issued the company with a dud Afribank cheque for N599, 600, when the company demanded for the money.
 The counsel told the court that the cheque was dishonoured for insufficient funds in the defendants’ account.
The prosecutor said that the duo had yet to pay back the money.
He noted that the offences contravened Sections 516 of the Criminal Code Act, 2006, Section 1(1) of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act 2006, and Section 1(1) of the Dishonoured Cheques Act, 2004.
The case was adjourned till Oct. 29 for determination of the defendants’ bail application.