Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a man, Okeke Ejike Callistus, who posed as a Bureau De Change operator, before an Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha over an alleged N78,295,000 (Seventy‑eight million, Two hundred and Ninety‑five thousand Naira) fraud. The defendant was brought before Justice D. A. Onyefulu on Monday, May 4, 2026, on a ten‑count charge bordering on forgery and stealing, after he allegedly collected a huge sum of money from a businessman for onward transmission to a partner in China but instead diverted part of the funds and supplied fake banking documents.
The case originated from a petition filed by Ezegwu Leonard Chinedu, who trades under the name Leatez Enterprises. According to the EFCC, Chinedu gave Callistus, who operated under the business name Nwachimereze Amen Resources, a total sum of N78,295,000 for the purpose of transferring the money to a business partner in China. The petitioner had trusted the defendant as a legitimate currency exchange operator. However, instead of remitting the full amount as agreed, Callistus only sent a portion of the funds to China. For the outstanding balance, he allegedly provided telex copies purportedly issued by a bank identified as “ABA Bank of Cambodia”. When the petitioner’s partner in China presented those documents to the receiving bank, they were discovered to be entirely fake. The defendant then stopped responding to the petitioner’s inquiries.
Count one of the charge reads: “Mr. Okeke Ejike Callistus (trading under the name and style of Nwachimereze Amen Resources), sometime on the 2nd of May, 2024, at Onitsha, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Anambra State, did commit a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your personal use the sum of N62,745,000.00 (Sixty‑two million, Seven hundred and Forty‑five thousand Naira) being property of Ezegwu Leonard Chinedu trading under the name and style of Leatez Enterprises and thereby committed an offence.” Count two covers a subsequent conversion of another N15,550,000 between May 3 and May 7, 2024. The remaining counts detail additional fraudulent transactions linked to the same scheme. The offences contravene Section 342 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 36, Anambra State, and are punishable under Section 353 (12) of the same law.
When the charges were read to him, Callistus pleaded not guilty. In view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Rotimi Enitan Ajobiewe, prayed the court for a trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded at the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service. However, defence counsel, Hypolite Ohaneche, informed the court that a formal bail application had already been filed. He moved the application and prayed the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms. Ohaneche argued that the defendant was not a flight risk and was willing to abide by any conditions the court might impose.
Ajobiewe opposed the bail application vigorously. He reminded the court that the defendant had previously been granted administrative bail by the EFCC during the investigation, but that Callistus had jumped that bail. “There is likelihood of the defendant jumping bail again due to the fact that he previously jumped bail granted him by the Commission,” Ajobiewe told the court. He argued that the defendant’s conduct showed a pattern of dishonesty and disregard for lawful processes, and that the court should exercise caution in granting bail.
Justice Onyefulu listened to both sides and proceeded to rule on the bail application. The judge granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties. One of the sureties must present a tax clearance certificate. Both sureties must be related to the defendant, live within the jurisdiction of the court, and possess a National Identification Number. The court did not order the remand of the defendant, allowing him to remain free pending trial as long as he meets the bail conditions. The case was adjourned for trial, though the specific date was not stated in the available summary.
During the investigation by the EFCC, Callistus reportedly made a startling admission. He confessed to receiving the full sum of N78,295,000 from the petitioner. He further admitted that he had diverted part of the money for his personal use. However, he claimed that he had intended to make good the shortfall before the transaction was uncovered. The EFCC noted that the defendant’s admission, coupled with the fake telex copies and his earlier bail jumping, formed a strong basis for the criminal charges. The commission is also investigating whether Callistus ran a completely unlicensed BDC operation, as he did not possess the required Central Bank of Nigeria permit to deal in foreign exchange.
The case highlights a growing trend of fraudsters posing as BDC operators in Onitsha, one of West Africa’s largest commercial hubs. Businessmen who need to transfer large sums to international partners often turn to informal currency dealers to bypass banking delays or exchange rate issues, making them vulnerable to scams. The EFCC has warned members of the public to verify the credentials of any BDC operator before entrusting them with funds and to insist on verifiable bank-to-bank transfer receipts. The commission also reiterated that jumping bail, whether administrative or judicial, is a serious offence that can affect a defendant’s chances of securing release in subsequent cases.
As the trial awaits a date, Okeke Ejike Callistus remains free on the N50 million bail, but his legal troubles are far from over. The prosecution is expected to call witnesses, including the petitioner, bank compliance officers, and forensic document examiners who can testify that the ABA Bank of Cambodia telex copies were forged. If convicted on any of the ten counts, the defendant could face a lengthy prison sentence under the Criminal Code Law of Anambra State. For now, the case serves as a cautionary tale for both currency dealers and their clients in Nigeria’s bustling commercial cities.
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