In a report by OduNews, Professor Uche Edwin has been brought before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on allegations of committing a fraud totaling N1.4 billion. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made the announcement through their spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, on Thursday.
Edwin and his associated businesses, Visionary Integrated Consulting Limited, NEMAD Associates Limited, and Revamp Global Enterprise, faced an 11-count charge related to conspiracy, retention, and conversion of N1,473,367,046.04. These funds belonged to the Maize Growers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria. Edwin entered a “not guilty” plea for all charges.
One count specified that Edwin and the involved companies had conspired to use the mentioned funds, which were property of the Maize Growers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria. They should have been aware that the funds were proceeds from their illegal activities, specifically fraud. This is an offense under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.
Prosecution counsel C.C. Okezie requested a trial date and that the defendant be held in custody. In response, defense counsel Mobolaji Akintunde applied for bail on behalf of Edwin. Akintunde also requested that Edwin be detained in EFCC custody until he could fulfill any imposed bail conditions.
Judge Nicholas Oweibo granted bail to Edwin in the amount of N1 million, with two sureties of equal value. The sureties must own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction, present a three-month tax clearance certificate, and provide their passport photographs. Furthermore, Edwin was instructed to surrender his passport to the court.
The trial has been scheduled to commence on June 27.
