The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says the Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal has sentenced Henry Ugwuede to seven years’ imprisonment for offences bordering on land fraud.

In a statement shared on X.com on Monday, the commission said the sentence followed the appellate court’s decision to set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court in Independence Layout, Enugu, which had earlier discharged and acquitted Ugwuede.

The statement read, “Ugwuede was prosecuted by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice R. O. Dugbo Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on a six-count charge bordering on forgery, uttering and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N2.9m.

“Ugwuede defrauded one Capt. Agbor Ubachukwu Solomon, of the said sum, after convincing him that he was the owner of a landed property, namely Plot 244, situated and lying at Emehelaku Layout, Nike, in Enugu East Local Government Area, Enugu State.

“After making payments, the petitioner discovered that Ugwuede lied about the ownership of the land and that signatures on the Deed of Lease were forged.”

According to the statement, count one of the charge reads: “That you, Henry Ugwuede, between November, 2010 and February, 2011 at Abakpa Nike, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1.7m through your First Bank Plc Account No. 6052010002394, from Okafor Franklin Chidi, the money of Captain Agbor Ubachukwu Solomon, by false pretence, when you represented yourself as the owner of Plot 244 situated and lying at Emehelaku layout, Nike in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

Count two reads: “That you, Henry Ugwuede, between November 2010 and February 2011 at Abakpa Nike, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1.2m from Okafor Franklin Chidi by false pretence, when you represented yourself as the owner of Plot 267 situated and lying at Emehelaku layout, Nike, in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

The statement added that Ugwuede pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges, paving the way for his trial. During the proceedings, EFCC counsel, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, Blessing Obasi, presented five witnesses and tendered several documents.

However, in a judgment delivered on April 18, 2024, Justice R. O. Dugbo Oghoghorie held that Ugwuede had restituted the victims in full and that the act of restitution removed the elements of the offences.

The report noted that the court subsequently discharged and acquitted him of all six charges.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, according to the statement, the EFCC filed a Notice of Appeal on July 17, 2024.

In the appeal, the statement disclosed that the EFCC urged the Court of Appeal to overturn the lower court’s judgment because it failed to evaluate the testimonies of the five prosecution witnesses and had not properly assessed key exhibits.

The statement added that the prosecution also argued that the lower court erred in holding that Ugwuede’s refund of the money removed the essential ingredients of the offence of obtaining by false pretence.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minster of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has urged the judiciary to expedite hearings in cases involving terrorism, human trafficking, kidnapping and other violent crimes, stressing that the judiciary must support national efforts to combat insecurity.

The AGF made the appeal on Monday in Abuja during a ceremony marking the commencement of the 2025/2026 Court of Appeal Legal Year.

The event was also attended by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who promised improved accommodation for judges to allow them to discharge their duties without distractions associated with poor living conditions.

In his remarks, the AGF said all hands must be on desk to tackle the country’s insecurity challenges, calling on judges to support the government by fast-tracking the trial of terrorists.

Fagbemi said, “At this solemn juncture in our national life, it is also impossible to ignore the grave challenge of insecurity that confronts our country. From insurgency and terrorism to banditry, kidnapping and violent crimes, these threats imperil not only the safety of our citizens but also the very fabric of our constitutional democracy.

“The judiciary, as the guardian of justice and the custodian of the rule of law, must lend its weight to national efforts to combat insecurity through firm, consistent and courageous adjudication, the courts can ensure that those who threaten peace and stability are held accountable, that impunity is dismantled, and that the sanctity of human life and property is protected.”

He stressed that the judiciary is more effective when terrorism cases are swiftly heard.

“The judicial system’s effectiveness strengthens when terrorism cases receive swift hearings and resolutions, which demonstrates that terrorism faces immediate and decisive legal action.

“The Federal Government remains deeply committed to combating terrorism through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies. It recognizes that the swift administration of justice is a vital complement to military and intelligence operations.

“Accordingly, rather than resorting to indiscriminate detention or relying solely on battlefield engagements, the government is focused on the timely prosecution of suspects implicated in mass-casualty attacks, kidnap-for-ransom networks, extremist recruitment, and terror-financing activities,” Fagbemi said.

While acknowledging that the courts needed more personnel, he said the present administration was committed to strengthening the judiciary.

“The government is equally mindful that this can only be achieved by enhancing the capacity of the judges who would handle these cases and other cases in the docket of our courts.

“The government of President Bola Tinubu is therefore committed to the immediate appointment of additional judges of the Federal High Court to reinforce and boost our national counter-terrorism efforts and ensure that terrorism-related cases and other cases are handled promptly and effectively.

The ambition of popular Fuji music icon, Otunba Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe, also known as KWAM1, to become the next Awujale of Ijebu-Ode and paramount ruler of Ijebuland appears to have suffered a major setback.

Daily voice reports that the Jadiara Royal Family has publicly denied any genealogical linkage to him in the succession matter.

The Jadiara Royal House, a unit of the Fusengbuwa Ruling Family which is next in line to produce the new monarch, categorically dissociated itself from the musician’s claims.

In a statement dated December 7, 2025, and issued in Ijebu Ode, the head of the Jadiara Royal House, Otunba Prince Akinola Odedina, expressly denied any historical or documented connection with the Fuji musician.

The statement, titled “Otunba Wasiu Ayinde Anifowose (MON)”, clarified that the family found no connection through “archaeological, known documented records or oral history” with KWAM1.

Odedina explained that the public clarification became necessary due to the widespread interest the matter has generated following KWAM1’s declaration of interest in the throne, which he tied to the Jadiara lineage.

“I can say categorically that Wasiu has no genealogical linkage with the Jadiara Royal House. We at Jadiara Royal House have waited for him to arrive with his form and any relevant documents to prove his connection to Jadiara Royal House. He is yet to show up,” Odedina declared.

The statement was widely circulated to key government authorities, including the Office of the Executive Governor, the Ministry of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and the Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administration Council.

Specifically, the Jadiara Royal House urged the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling Family to abstain from: “any dealings with KWAM1 on the consideration of any genealogical eligibility to the Awujale throne, or any other family linkage with the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.”

Odedina suggested that the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House may have given KWAM1 a nomination form “expecting him to get his roots to Jadiara Royal House authenticated,” but noted the musician has failed to appear with the necessary evidence.

The head of the Jadiara family, however, promised to keep the general public informed as the matter continues to unfold.