RismadarVoice Reporters, April 30, 2026
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned a legal practitioner, Barrister Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo, before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, over an alleged N15.7 million land fraud.
Nwobodo is facing a 20-count amended charge bordering on forgery, possession of forged documents, and obtaining by false pretence. He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him in court.
The defendant was initially arraigned on January 27, 2025, on a five-count charge before the same court, where he also pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on self-recognition.
During the trial, prosecution counsel, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC (CSE) Chikezie Raymond Edozie, presented six witnesses and tendered several exhibits, all of which were admitted in evidence.
At the resumed hearing on April 23, 2026, the prosecution informed the court of the amended charge. Following the defendant’s plea of not guilty, the prosecution closed its case. The matter was subsequently adjourned to April 30, 2026, for the defendant to open his defence.
The court had earlier, on March 4, 2026, issued a strong warning to the defendant over alleged interference with prosecution witnesses, including claims of harassment and intimidation within and outside the court premises. The court warned that such conduct could lead to the revocation of his bail.
According to the EFCC, one of the charges alleges that Nwobodo, on January 15, 2014, forged a land purchase receipt valued at N9 million, purportedly issued by Onyekachi O. Nwocha and Christiana C. Nwocha, with the intent to defraud.
Another count alleges that he presented a forged land receipt worth N5.5 million to one Ude Chinedu Emmanuel on April 25, 2014, also with the intent to defraud.
Nwobodo, who is representing himself in the matter, is expected to commence his defence at the next adjourned date.
