Couple arraigned by commission over $120m fraud

November 16, 2016 9:52 PM

EFCC has arraigned a couple over an alleged $120m fraud as they face seven counts of conspiracy.

Austine Chidiebere Ezeama and Juliet Ezeama

One Mr

The married couple is reportedly facing seven counts bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences, Punch reports.

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The commission revealed that the couple had on May 6, 2015, obtained $30,570 from a firm, CIFERCOM LLC under the pretext that the money was for registration of CIFERCOM LLC as a company in Nigeria, preparatory to the award of an $8m contract to CIFERCOM LLC by the Federal Government.

Punch reports that one of the charges against the couple read,

“That you, on Augustine Ezeama, Juliet Ezeama and Mabrubeni Nigeria Limited, on or about the 6th of May, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $30,570 from CIFERCOM LLC under the false pretences that the money was for registration of CIFERCOM LLC as a company in Nigeria preparatory to the award of $8m contract to CIFERCOM LLC by the Federal Government of Nigeria, which representation you knew to be false.”

However, the couple pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them.

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Justice Oshodi remanded the defendants in the custody of the EFCC and adjourned the matter until November 21, 2016, for bail application.