A Lagos hotelier, Chief Joseph Umezugha, and his two companies – Saint Joes International Agency Limited and De Jessica’s Global Hotel and Suite Limited – have been re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos on a seven count amended charge.
In the seven count amended charge filed before the court by team of legal officers Kyije Roland Abang and Ibukunoluwa Olu-Jacobs from Police Force Headquarters, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, it was allegedly stated that Chief Umezugha, the managing director/chief executive officer of Saint Joes International Agency Limited, De Jessicas Global Hotel and Suites Limited and others now at large, between June and September 2021 in Lagos, with intent to defraud, did obtain by false pretences the sum of N185,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Eighty-Five Million Naira) from one Ifeanyi Collinus Ogbuji, the MD/CEO of Colbex Systems Limited with the understanding that he will use the money for the completion of De Jessicas Global Hotel and Suites Limited and as a result of which he will be a partner of the aforesaid Hotel, a representation he knew to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Chief Umezugha and his two companies were also alleged to have given false information by way of petition written to Deputy Inspector General of Police at the Force Criminal Investigation Department Area 10, Abuja, which petition was in turn endorsed to Special Weapon and Tactics Unit (SWAT) Area 3 Garki, Abuja to use his lawful power to the injury or annoyance of Ifeanyi Collins Ogbuji.
The defendant pleaded not guilty. He had earlier been granted bail by the court when he was first arraigned but he has not perfected his bail conditions.
The case has been adjourned till 5 June, 2024, for commencement of trial.