The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of David Wealth Ezuzu, an investment fraudster, before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court, Benin City.
Ezuzu, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Arerben Ventures, an investment company, was arraigned on one count charge of obtaining by false pretence. He was said to have fraudulently obtained over N5 billion from unsuspecting members of the public on the pretext of investment in forex trading.
The charge reads, “That you, David Wealth Ezuzu (trading under the name and style of Arerben ventures) sometimes between 11th January, 2020 and 1st day of March, 2021 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the aggregate sum of N15,2000,000 (Fifteen Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira) out of the total sum of N5,458,171,996.95 (Five Billion, Four Hundred and Fifty-eight Million, One Hundred and Seventy One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety-six Naira, Ninety-five Kobo) you received in your Access Bank account number: 0795689642 from unsuspecting members of the public as investment into Forex trading to your Guarantee Trust Bank 0114467985 in the name of Ezuzu David knowing that same represent proceeds of Ezuzu David’s criminal conduct, to wit: obtaining money by false pretense and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17 (a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( Establishment ) Act, 2004 and punishable under section 17 (b) of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Francis A. Jirbo, prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly, The Trumpet gathered.
However, the defence counsel, A. Afamefena, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as restitution shall be made to the victims of the crime.
In his ruling, Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Ezuzu to three (3) years imprisonment with an option of N 2 million fine, while his company, D.W. Arerben Global Investment, was convicted and sentenced to a fine of N2 million. The company is to be wound up and the balance of N1,099,503.08 in its account forfeited to the Federal Government through the EFCC for the purpose of restitution of the victims of the crime.
The judge also ordered the forfeiture of N102,131.45 in the defendant’s business account and five other bank accounts (David Wealth Ezuzu Zenith bank account no: 2179944006, David Ezuzu Guarantee Trust Bank account no: 0046882751, David Ezuzu Standard chartered bank account no:5005093998, David Ezuzu Wema Bank account no: 025183759; 0620469522; 0620485793; 0620485786; 2009369467 and Prestana Enterprise Sterling Bank account no: 0081931988) to the Federal Government through the EFCC for the purpose of restituting victims of the crime.
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The court further ordered that the defendant forfeits to the Federal Government through the EFCC for the benefit of the victims of the crime the following properties:
1. 5 Bedroom duplex and security house situated at Plot 3 Block 7 Kewkagbor Family Layout, Off Ibusa Road, Asaba, Oshimili South LGA, Delta State.
2. Landed property situated at Okotomi Layout, Obadogwugwu Quarters, Okpanam Quarters, Ibusa Road, Asaba, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State.
3. Landed property at Anieluenonu New Layout, Obadogwugwu Quarters, Okpanam, Asaba, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State.
4. 5 Bedroom duplex with bungalow situated at 12 Okwunze Street, Off Stadium Road, Oshimili South LGA, Delta State
5. Two bungalows of three bedrooms and 2 bedrooms respectively at Obiaje Family land, Off Asaba, Oshimili South LGA Delta State.
6. Landed property, Plot 27 situated at Umayi Umuezeafadia Family land, Okosolo, Asaba-Benin Road in Oshimili South LGA, Delta State.
7. Bungalow situated along R.N. Okonkwo Street, Ogbeowelle Quarters, Okpanam, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State.
8. 26 Hectares of land located at Ngbo Ofuke Village, Asaba, Delta State.
9. Three storey building into 3 places situated at Obduogwu Family land, Opposite NNPC Filling Station, Asaba, Delta State.
10. A piece or parcel of land measuring approximately 200ft by 200ft (1 Acre) lying and situated at Elibujor ogne- of Layout by Benin – Asaba Expressway.
Also ordered forfeited are one leaflet of Keystone bank manager’s cheque valued (N400,000), 13 leaflets of Zenith bank manager’s cheques valued at N115,000,000, 10 leaflets of Guaranty Trust Bank manager’s cheque valued at N61,700,000.00, 28 leaflets of First City Monument Bank manager’s cheque valued at N33,550,000 and 2 leaflets of UBA manager’s cheque valued at N300,000.
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