The trial of Ikedinachi Grace Nonyelum, prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of defrauding a prospective property buyer of ₦9 million, has commenced before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the federal high court, Enugu.
Nonyelum, described by investigators as a serial property fraudster, is being prosecuted by the EFCC on a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to section 1(1)(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the advance fee fraud and other related offences act no. 14 of 2006.
At the resumption of hearing on Tuesday, the EFCC called its first prosecution witness, Inspector Aminu Garba Mohammed, who told the court how the agency received a petition from Benson Okechukwu, the complainant.
According to the witness, the EFCC began investigating the matter after Okechukwu alleged that the defendant collected ₦9 million from him under the pretence of selling a bungalow at Ogbeke Nike, Enugu, but later resold the same property to another buyer.
“During the course of investigation, we invited the complainant to adopt his petition and wrote to Keystone bank for the defendant’s account details,” Mohammed said.
“Analysis of the statement showed several payments made to the defendant, including ₦500,000 on April 19, ₦300,000 on April 21, and ₦500,000 via POS on September 6, 2022, totalling ₦1.3 million.
“The defendant also admitted receiving cash payments,” he stated.
The prosecution, led by assistant superintendent of the EFCC, Blessing Ajogwu, tendered several documents, including the petition, the defendant’s bank statement, and certificates of identification, which were admitted in evidence and marked as exhibits one to three.
Nonyelum was first arraigned on May 29, 2024, and pleaded not guilty, leading to the commencement of trial.
The court adjourned the matter to January 21, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
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