RismadarVoice Reporters, May 4, 2026
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arraigned a legal practitioner, Barrister Mike Ikegbunam, before the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, over allegations of money laundering and obtaining by false pretence involving N91 million.
Ikegbunam was brought before Justice M. T. Segun-Bello on a seven-count charge bordering on alleged financial misconduct linked to a failed land acquisition scheme.
The lawyer was previously arraigned on January 31, 2024, before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the same court, where he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on self-recognition, with the additional condition that he deposit his Call to Bar certificate with the court.
In the current amended charge, the prosecution alleged that the defendant, in August 2022, fraudulently obtained N25 million from the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions of Nigeria (SSAUTHRIAI) under the pretence of securing land for its members at Umuagu Ndiukwuanu, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He was also accused of receiving an additional N20 million in October 2022 for the same purported land transaction, bringing the total alleged sum to N91 million.
The EFCC maintained that the representations made by the defendant were false and intended to induce the victims to part with their funds, in violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
When the charges were read, Ikegbunam again pleaded not guilty.
Prosecution counsel, ACE II Mainforce Adaka Ekwu, urged the court to fix a date for trial to enable the Commission to present its case.
However, defence counsel, S. E. Nnonyelu, requested that the defendant continue to enjoy the earlier bail conditions granted by the court.
Justice Segun-Bello granted the application and adjourned the matter to October 21 and 22, 2026 for commencement of trial.
Court records indicate that Ikegbunam was arrested on July 12, 2023, following a petition by SSAUTHRIAI (Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi branch), which alleged that its members paid N91 million for the purchase of 130 plots of land in Anambra State.
Investigations by the EFCC further revealed that the defendant had refunded N10 million to the association, while allegedly using N16.5 million of the funds to acquire three plots of land for himself at Dubai Estate Phase 2 in Awka, Anambra State.
The case continues as the court prepares for full trial proceedings.
