A 49-year old businessman, Philip Onwibiko, was Friday arraigned at the Asaba Magistrate Court for allegedly defrauding his colleague of over N5 million under the pretence of supplying him quality auto parts.
Inspector Abel Maroh who is the prosecutor in the case said the incident happened between August 2015 and December 2016 in Asaba.
He added that since then he was arrested and granted bail until he violated the bail conditions.
The prosecutor told the court that the said offences were punishable under section 8(1)(a), and punishable under section 1(3) of the advance fee fraud and other related offence Act 2006.
The prosecutor in count two stated: “That you Philip Onwubiko, and others now at large on the same date and place within the magisterial district did with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of 141, 885 Euros from one Charles Amadi by falsely pretending that you were capable of supplying him quality motor spare parts worth the amount, and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud, and other related offences Act 2006.”
On count three, the prosecutor alleged: “That you, Philip Onwubiko “M” and others now at large on the same date and place within the aforementioned magisterial district, did after obtaining a total sum of one hundred and forty one thousand, eight hundred and eighty five euros (141, 885) from one Charles Amadi “M” for supply of quality motor spare parts, fraudulently converted the thirty two thousand and seventy (32, 070) Euros to your personal use and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 383 and punishable under section 390(9) of the criminal code law, cap c21 vol. 1 laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.”
The accused person also in the month of February 2017 at Asaba allegedly fraudulently tricked the victim to pay the sum N2.5million for shipping which was greater than he would have paid and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 421 of the criminal code law, cap c21 vol. 1 laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.
The court did not take the plea of the accused person after the charges were read and he was remanded in prison custody while the trial Chief Magistrate, Mr. Felix I. Dike, adjourned the case toOctober 19, 2017.
Meanwhile, a pastor of one of the new generation churches (name withheld) has been charged before an Asaba Chief Magistrate for alleged theft.
The accused, Pastor Kendra Udonsi, 45, and another, Isaac Ifeanyichukwu, 27, allegedly conspired among themselves to damage an iPad phone valued at N120, 000.
They also on same day damaged a carton of Caprison drink valued at N2, 300, property of one Mr. Rapheal Mordi.
The accused persons also allegedly stole a cash sum of N99, 000 and allegedly assaulted Mr. Raphael Mordi by giving him head butt on the left side of his eye which caused harm to his health.
After the charges were read, the accused persons, who are facing a five-count charge pleaded not guilty and the trial Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Felicia O Kalu, granted them bail in the sum of N100, 000 and one surety each and who must have an accessible and stable income that must be verified by the court.
The sureties would also present two passport photographs, national ID Card, land or any other authorised means of identification in addition to a letter of recommendation from a clergy or any government official that has gotten to at least Level 8.
The case was adjourned to October 10, 2017.
