Request by two accused persons who are standing trial before Justice V. N Agbata of the Anambra State High Court Onitsha, on a 12-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence, that their trial be discontinued as they have settled with the complainant, was rejected by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Bernard Sunday Chukwuma and Anyiam Isabella, were arraigned by the EFCC on May 19, 2014 for allegedly obtaining various sums of money totalling about N1,800,000.00 (one million, eight hundred thousand naira) from one Okey Obiagwu and four others under the pretext of helping them to secure jobs at the Onitsha North LGA of Anambra State.
At the resumed hearing of the case today, the defense counsel Nnadiume Awforkansi told the court that the complainant and the accused persons have settled and that he had written to the EFCC seeking the withdrawal of the case from court but that the Commission was bent on proceeding with the matter. He then request the court to make an order compelling the EFCC withdraw the charge.
But prosecuting counsel, Michael Ani, told the court that the accused persons were charged for offences that borders on obtaining money by false pretence and forgery. He reminded the court that the proceeding is a criminal trial and not a civil action where parties can settle. He then informed the court that the EFCC was ready to go on with the trial.
Justice Agbata after listening to the arguments of counsel ordered the accused persons and their counsel to meet with the EFCC and report back to court at the next adjourned date. He then adjourned the case to September 24, 2014.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
2nd July, 2014