The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned Ani Ugochukwu Augustine before Justice Ngozi Orji of the Enugu State High Court, Independence Layout, for allegedly stealing N1,300,000.00 (One Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira).
Ani Ugochukwu Augustine faces a one-count charge of stealing, which reads: “That you, Ani Ugochukwu Augustine, sometime in 2021, in Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your personal use the sum of N1,300,000.00, being property of Mrs. Nsoke Veronica, thereby committing an offence.”
The offence contravenes Sections 342 and 343 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 30 (Revised Edition, Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004), and is punishable under Section 353(f) and (i) of the same law.
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” when the charge was read to him. In response, EFCC counsel, Assistant Commander Michael Ikechukwu Ani, prayed the court to set a trial date and remand the defendant at the Correctional Facility.
Defense counsel, Ngozi Uzoma, sought bail for Ani, but the defendant opposed the oral application, insisting that “this is a court of record and the proper thing should be done.” Justice Orji subsequently directed the defense to file a formal bail application. The matter was adjourned to October 2, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application, and Ani was remanded in custody.
Reports indicate that Ani was arrested after a petitioner alleged he promised to assist her in purchasing a good second-hand Toyota Sienna for N1.3 million. After payment was made, the defendant neither delivered the vehicle nor refunded the money.
📩 Reported by: Stone Reporters News
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