The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned Michael Uwachukwu an undergraduate of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Michael Uwachukwu, popularly called, ’Rodrigo’ before Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on four -count charges bordering on impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence.
Penpushing reports that, one of the count read, “that you Uwachukwu Michael (a.k.a Rodrigo) on or about 1 7th November, 2019 at Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of Eleven Thousand, Five Hundred Twenty-Two Dollars ($11,522) from Krisha Marie Arsenio an, American Citizen, under the false pretext that you have been evicted by your landlord and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related offences Act”.
The accused when the charges were read to him in the court pleaded “not guilty”, and in view of his “not guilty” plea, the prosecuting counsel, A. Osu prayed the court for a short adjournment.
Penpushing further reports that, Uwachukwu ran into trouble when the commission received intelligence on his alleged fraudulent activities, leading to his arrest, but his counsel H .O. Amaefule, however, orally prayed the court to grant the defendant bail which was declined.
The judge Justice J,K Omotosho adjourned the matter till January 21, 2021 and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.
Penpushing also reports that, the commission in a statement by Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren said investigation showed that the defendant had been posing as a divorced American, Michael Rodrigo and defrauding his victims.
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