Court Adjourns Trial Of Professor Who Defrauded Farmers N1.4bn

The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, presided by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, has adjourned to 20th May 2024, the trial of Prof. Uche C. Edwin, a defendant that allegedly defrauded maize farmers the sum of N1.4bn.

Recall THE WHISTLER reported that Prof. Edwin was arraigned alongside his companies, Visionary Integrated Consulting Limited, NEMAD Associates Limited and Revamp Global Enterprise, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, retention and conversion of funds.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Professor Uche Chigozie Edwin , Visionary Integrated Consulting Limited, Nemad Associates Limited and Revamp Global Enterprise, sometime in 2021, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Court conspired amongst yourselves to use the sum of N1, 473,367,046.04 (One billion, four hundred and seventy three million, three hundred and sixty seven thousand, forty six Naira, Four Kobo), property of the Maize Growers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MAGPAMAN), which sum you
reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: fraud and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

The accused had pleaded “not guilty” to the counts. Meanwhile, at the resumed sitting on 13th March 2024, the prosecuting counsel, C.C. Okezie called the first prosecution witness (PW1), Mary Kugbe, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa, UBA.

In her evidence, Kugbe told the court that although she did not know the defendant personally, she was aware that he maintains an account with the bank through his company, Visionary Integrated Consulting Limited (2nd defendant).

She said: “Sometime in 2021, we received a request from the EFCC, requesting for the statement of account and account opening packages of the 2nd defendant.

“We obliged them and forwarded all the documents. The document forms part of the records of the bank and also came from the bank.”

The banker further identified the said documents in open court and Okezie, thereafter, applied to tender the letter dated 27th September 2021, along its attachment.

The documents were admitted by the court and marked as exhibits, and Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter till 20th and 21st May 2024, for continuation of trial.