The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned a legal practitioner, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo, before the Federal High Court in Enugu over an alleged N15.7 million land fraud.
Nwobodo was re-arraigned by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on a 20-count amended charge bordering on forgery, possession of forged documents, and obtaining by false pretence.
The case is being heard by Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo at the court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu.
The defendant was initially arraigned on January 27, 2025, on a five-count charge before the same court, where he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on self-recognition.
During the trial, prosecution counsel, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, Chikezie Raymond Edozie, presented six witnesses and tendered several exhibits, all of which were admitted as evidence.
At the resumed hearing on April 23, 2026, the prosecution informed the court of an amended charge.
The new charges were read to the defendant, who again pleaded not guilty.
Following this, the prosecution closed its case, and the matter was adjourned until April 30, 2026, for the defence to open its case.
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Earlier, on March 4, 2026, the court issued a stern warning to Nwobodo over alleged interference with prosecution witnesses, including harassment and intimidation within and outside court premises.
The court cautioned that his bail could be revoked if such conduct persisted.
According to the charge sheet, the defendant is accused of forging land purchase receipts and presenting them as genuine to defraud unsuspecting victims.
One of the counts alleges that he forged a receipt valued at N9 million in January 2014, purportedly issued by private individuals.
Another count claims he presented a forged receipt worth N5.5 million to a victim in April 2014.
Nwobodo, who is representing himself in the matter, is expected to open his defence at the next hearing.
