RismadarVoice Reporters, May 4, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Okeke Ejike Callistus, described as a fake Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, before the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha over an alleged N78.2 million fraud.
Callistus was docked before Justice D.A. Onyefulu on a 10-count charge bordering on forgery and stealing.
According to the EFCC, the defendant, who allegedly operated under the name Nwachimereze Amen Resources, fraudulently converted funds belonging to a businessman, Ezegwu Leonard Chinedu, to his personal use.
One of the counts alleged that on May 2, 2024, the defendant converted N62.7 million belonging to the petitioner, while another count stated that between May 3 and May 7, 2024, he fraudulently converted an additional N15.55 million.
The offences are said to contravene provisions of the Criminal Code Law of Anambra State.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, ACE II Rotimi Enitan Ajobiewe, urged the court to fix a trial date and 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 application, arguing that the defendant posed a flight risk, having allegedly jumped administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC.
In his ruling, Justice Onyefulu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties. The court directed that one of the sureties must present a tax clearance certificate, while both must be relatives of the defendant, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and possess valid National Identification Numbers.
The case was adjourned for trial.
The EFCC said the defendant was arrested following a petition alleging that he received N78.29 million to transfer to a business partner in China but failed to remit the full amount. Instead, he allegedly issued fake transfer documents purportedly from a Cambodian bank.
Investigations, according to the Commission, revealed that the defendant admitted receiving the funds and diverting part of the money for personal use.
