CHIEF FEKIX AMADI, IN N17.6M LAND FRAUD

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday arraigned a chief, Felix Amadi, before Justice U.N. Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, on one count bordering on obtaining money under false pretence.

The EFCC said the accused collected N17.6m from one George Nwaeke through a phony land deal.

According to the EFCC, the petitioner stated that he was approached sometime in July, 2012 by a family friend, Lucky Jessy, who claimed there was a land allegedly owned by Felix for sale.

Nwaeke and his wife were said to have met with the accused to finalise payments. After making the payment, all efforts to take possession of the land were said to be futile.

EFCC said investigations revealed that the said land, purportedly owned by Felix, was in dispute.

The charge reads, “That you, Chief Felix Amadi, on or about the of July 18, 2012 at Port Harcourt, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained N17m from Sir and lady George Nwaeke under the pretence of transferring and holding yourself out as the rightful owner of a parcel of land situated in Mbuesilaru Rumuodara Town, measuring 3919.945 square metres, and which same land you claim to be free from encumbrances, the pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) (a) and (C) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act”.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice Agomoh adjourned the matter till April 15, 2014 for hearing of bail application and commencement of trial.