BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a suspected fake Bureau De Change operator, Okeke Ejike Callistus, before Justice D. A. Onyefulu of the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha, over an alleged fraud involving N78.3 million meant for an overseas business transaction.
Callistus, who allegedly operated under the name Nwachimereze Amen Resources, was docked on a 10-count charge bordering on forgery and stealing. The charges stem from claims that he fraudulently converted funds entrusted to him for a foreign exchange transaction involving a business partner in China.
According to the EFCC, the defendant received a total of N78,295,000 from petitioner Ezegwu Leonard Chinedu, who had intended the money to be transferred to his associate abroad. However, instead of completing the transaction, Callistus allegedly diverted a significant portion of the funds for personal use.
Part of the charge states that on May 2, 2024, the defendant fraudulently converted N62.7 million belonging to the petitioner, while a separate count alleges that between May 3 and 7, he diverted an additional N15.5 million.
To allegedly cover his tracks, Callistus reportedly sent telex copies of transfers from “ABA Bank of Cambodia” for the outstanding balance. These documents were later discovered to be fake when presented to the intended recipient in China.
The offences, according to prosecutors, contravene provisions of the Criminal Code Law of Anambra State.
When the charges were read in court, the defendant pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Rotimi Enitan Ajobiewe, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility.
However, defence counsel, Hypolite Ohaneche, informed the court of a pending bail application and urged the court to grant his client bail. The prosecution opposed the request, citing concerns that the defendant might abscond, alleging he had previously jumped administrative bail.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Onyefulu granted bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties. The court stipulated that one of the sureties must present a valid tax clearance certificate, while both must be relatives of the defendant, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and possess valid National Identification Numbers.
Further hearing in the case is expected to continue on a date to be determined by the court.
