By Hassanat Adebowale
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, has amended the charges in a case involving former Senator Andy Uba and Benjamin Etu, accused of fraud amounting to N400 million. The amended charges were presented before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.
During the court session, the Inspector-General’s counsel, M.L. Anthony, informed the judge that the amended charges had been filed on March 4 but had not yet been served on the defendants. He requested an adjournment to allow time for proper service. Counsel for the second defendant, C.F. Odiniru, did not oppose the application. The court granted Anthony’s request to serve Etu’s lawyer in open court.
Justice Ekwo subsequently adjourned the case to March 17 for the arraignment of Uba and Etu under the revised charges.
Previously, the police had filed a two-count charge on October 10, 2024, naming Uba, his relative Crystal Uba, and Benjamin Etu as defendants. However, in the amended charges, Crystal Uba’s name was removed, leaving Andy Uba and Etu as the first and second defendants, respectively.
The charges allege that Uba, Etu, and a third individual, Hajiya Fatima (currently at large), conspired in 2022 to defraud George Uboh by falsely claiming they could secure the appointment of a Managing Director for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in exchange for N400 million. The prosecution argues that this claim was knowingly false and constitutes an offence under Section 8, punishable by Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The case is supported by documentary evidence and voice recordings submitted by Uboh in a petition to the Inspector-General dated April 5, 2023. Uboh described the evidence as overwhelming and irrefutable. The prosecution has listed at least six witnesses to testify against Uba and Etu.
The Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, makes it illegal to obtain property through false pretenses, with penalties that include up to 20 years in prison and the forfeiture of any assets acquired through fraudulent means.
This law is designed to protect citizens from scams, especially cases where money is exchanged for false promises, such as securing government appointments or public offices. Even conspiring to commit fraud, even if the act itself isn’t completed, carries significant legal penalties.
If Uba and Etu are found guilty, they could face lengthy prison terms and be required to repay the defrauded amount. This case will not only test the strength of Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws but also serve as a strong warning against the misuse of political influence for personal benefit.
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