An Enugu State Magistrate Court has remanded the embattled Councillor representing Umualor Ward in Isi-Uzo local government area of Enugu State, Hon. Maxwell Aluagbo.
SaharaReporters had reported that Aluagbo was suspended recently by his colleagues over an alleged fraud and embezzlement of N1.1m meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in his constituency.
The 33-year-old man was subsequently arrested last week by the Nigerian Police Force in a hotel with his fiancee.
On Friday, the police secretly arraigned him before an Enugu East Magistrate Court 7, presided over Mrs. N. Esso on one count charge bordering on fraud.
In the charge marked CME/478/C/2023, Aluagbo was accused of false pretence and with intent to defraud and obtained N1.1 million from from Isi-Uzo Local Government Legislature with the pretence to use same for palliatives and relief support of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Umualor.
The count read: “That you, Aluagbo Maxwell ‘m’, on the 3rd day of March, 2023 at Ikem in Isi-Uzo Magistraterial District holden in Enugu did by false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtained the total sum of One Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,100,000.00) from Isi-Uzo Local Government Legislature with the pretence to use same for palliatives and relief support of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Umualor, a promise you knew to be false and committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (b) and (c) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2006 as applicable in Enugu State."
After he pleaded not guilty to the charge, the presiding Magistrate Esso, remanded in the Enugu Maximum Correctional Custodial Centre and adjourned to August 22, 2023.