The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Chukwuebuka Anacletus Ogbonna before Justice Vincent C. Ezeugwu of the Enugu State High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu. Ogbonna, who operates under the name and style of Monpere’s Autos, faces a four-count charge bordering on stealing by conversion to the tune of ₦15,400,000.
The trouble began for the auto dealer following a petition from a buyer who claimed he paid Ogbonna the ₦15.4 million in October 2023 to assist him in importing three cars. Upon receiving the substantial sum, the defendant promised to deliver the vehicles on or before Christmas Day, December 25, 2023. However, instead of delivering the cars or returning the money, Ogbonna allegedly converted the funds to his personal use, leaving the buyer stranded.
The court charges detailed how the money was systematically diverted. Count one states that in September 2023, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Enugu State, Ogbonna fraudulently converted ₦4,000,000 belonging to Mr. Paulson Nwakoby, which was meant for the vehicle purchase. Count two details another ₦4,000,000 fraudulently converted between November 28 and December 10, 2023. These actions violate Section 342 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 30, Enugu State, and are punishable under Section 353 (1) of the same law.
Appearing in court, the defendant pleaded “not guilty” to all charges read to him. In view of the plea, EFCC counsel and Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Rotimi Ajobiewe, prayed the court for a definitive trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Enugu. Justice Ezeugwu subsequently adjourned the matter to July 16, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that Ogbonna be remanded at the EFCC’s holding facility in the interim.
