The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), on Monday secured the conviction of a former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Chuma Nzeribe before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama. Abuja.
Penpushing reports that, Head, Media and Publicity of the commission Wilson Uwujaren in a statement said Nzeribe was first arraigned on October 16, 2020 on a four count charge bordering on possession of fraudulent document, forgery, using as genuine and cheating by personation, punishable under section 6, 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same
The statement added that charge reads that, he committed the crime sometime in March, 2013 at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Court and had in his possession a document containing false pretence to wit bearing the name of Ramatu Alhassan and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6, 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”.
“That you, Hon. Chuma Nzeribe sometime in March, 2013 at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession a document containing false pretence to wit: Re: Application for Statutory Right of Occupancy within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with reference Number MFCT/LA/FCT 1302 dated 18/06/03, bearing the name of Ramatu Alhassan and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6, 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”,count one read
“That you Hon. Chuma Nzeribe sometime in 2005 at Abuja, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently make a false document to wit: Re: Application for Statutory Right of Occupancy within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with reference number MFCT/LA/FCT 1302 dated 18/06/03, bearing the name of Ramatu Alhassan and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) and punishable under Section 364 of the same Act”, another count reads.
Penpushing further reports that, the statement added that, Nzeribe pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him, setting the stage for his full trial, stressing that in the course of the trial, the prosecuting counsel, Maryam Aminu Ahmad, presented five witnesses against the defendant.
The Head, Media and Publicity of the agency explained that, after the close of the case by the prosecution, the matter was adjourned for judgement, adding that, the defendant ,however, absconded and all efforts to get him proved abortive.
Penpushing also reports that, the judge, Justice Yusuf Y. Halilu thereafter revoked the bail of the defendant and issued a bench warrant for his arrest ,and as several adjournments and the failure to bring the defendant to court, the trial judge delivered judgment in which he convicted the defendant in absentia and restituted the nominal complainant, Ishaya Baba, his land situated at Plot 1306 Cadastral Zone A05, Maitama Abuja.
The judge, however deferred the sentencing of the defendant until the commission or the Inspector General of Police apprehend and bring him to court, in compliance with Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Section 11of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and Other Related Offences Act 2006, and Section 78 of the Penal Code Act.
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