The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday May 7, 2013 arraigned four members of the self-styled National Task Force on Illegal Importation of Goods, Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons, NATFORCE, before Justice N. Agishi of the Federal High Court, Enugu, on a 9-count charge of conspiracy, extortion and obtaining money under false pretence.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday May 7, 2013 arraigned four members of the self-styled National Task Force on Illegal Importation of Goods, Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons, NATFORCE, before Justice N. Agishi of the Federal High Court, Enugu, on a 9-count charge of conspiracy, extortion and obtaining money under false pretence.
Obinna C. Onyekwelu, Emmanuel Ngwu, Ogunjimi Charles (at large) and Onyia Fidelia (at large) are alleged to belong to a syndicate which extorts money from unsuspecting Nigerians under the pretext of helping them secure employment with the federal government. The scammers defrauded hundreds of job seekers by deceitfully selling recruitment forms to them at five thousand naira each with promises of offering them employment in Federal Government establishments.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.
The prosecution counsel, Mainforce Adaka, asked the court to fix a trial date since there was no bail application before the court. However the defence counsel objected and made an oral application for bail.
Justice Agishi granted bail to each of the accused in the sum of N300, 000.00 each with two sureties in like sum who should either be a businessman in Enugu or a civil servant on grade level 10 and above.
The case was adjourned to June 12, 2013 for the hearing.
The quartet is the first batch of suspects to be arraigned by the EFCC since the anti-graft agency burst the racket that cut across the six zones of the country. A certain Osita Emmanuel Okereke, self-acclaimed director –general of the National Task Force on Illegal Importation of Goods, Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons, NATFORCE, was apprehended in January, after spurning several invitations, and grilled for his role in the mega scam.
The organization's claim to recognition and registration by government has proven to be a hoax.
Wilson Uwujaren
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
7th May, 2013
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