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Man Bags Seven-Year Jail Term For Land Scam In Enugu
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.
News
2027: Tinubu Accused Of Plot To Relocate Nigeria’s Capital From Abuja – Details Emerge
Timi Frank, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to relocate Nigeria’s capital from Abuja to Lagos upon his re-election in 2027.
Frank made this allegation known in a statement on Monday.
The former APC chieftain slammed Tinubu’s government for what he described as a ‘Lagos-centric agenda.’
He said that it has become clear to him that the President is pursuing an agenda of sidelining other regions.
According to Frank, major decisions of Tinubu’s administration are targeted to benefit Lagos State.
“It is now clear that the President’s long-term plan is to concentrate political and economic power in Lagos if given another term in office,” Frank said.
Frank also claimed that federal appointments and development initiatives under Tinubu have been largely one-sided, warning that such a trend undermines national unity.
“We do not want a president who is one-sided,” he said.
“Where are Tinubu’s MOUs tied to agricultural and livestock production in the North, industrial development in the Southeast, and oil and gas development in the South-South? None!
“Secondly, no president in Nigeria’s history has divided the country and its people along regional and ethnic lines the way this administration has done.
“There is a growing sense of alienation and division among Nigerians that is deeply troubling.
“It appears to be a deliberate strategy to impoverish certain regions, especially the North, South, and Southeast, so that citizens are economically weakened ahead of the 2027 election cycle,” Frank stated.
News
BREAKING: Sultan Receives Moon Sighting Report, Announces Date of Eid-ul-Fitr in Nigeria
His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, has announced the date for Eid al-Fitr in Nigeria.
The Emir, who is the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, has not reported the sighting of the crescent moon of Shawwal, 1447AH, today, Wednesday, the 29th of Ramadan .
This was contained in a statement posted on the Facebook page of the Daular Usmaniyya , signed by the Wazir of Sokoto and Chairman of the Religious Affairs Committee of the Sultan’s Palace, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.
The statement stated that the Sultan’s Palace Moon Sighting Committee had not received any reliable reports of moon sightings from anywhere in Nigeria. According to this information, Thursday, March 19, will be the day to complete the 30th day of Ramadan.
The Sultan of Sokoto has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the day of the lesser Sallah, i.e. the 1st of Shawwal 1447AH.
He urged Muslims to use this time of Eid al-Fitr to pray for peace, unity, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
The statement said: “His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, and Chairman, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has received the moon sighting report, which showed that the crescent moon was not sighted today, Wednesday.
“Accordingly, he declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as 1 Shawwal 1447AH (the Day of the Small Prayer). He also congratulated the Nigerian Muslim community on the occasion, and wished them the guidance and blessings of God.”
“He also called for continued prayers for peace, progress, and development of the country . He also wished Muslims a peaceful and prosperous Eid. May Allah (SWT) accept our acts of worship, amen.”
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BREAKING: Nigerian Governor To Build N19.6bn Specialist Hospital, Details Emerge
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approves ₦19.6 billion Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola The Adamawa State government says the hospital aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Adamawa State Fintiri explains that the facility will serve as a training center and improve healthcare services in the North-East.
Yola, Adamawa State – Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has approved the construction of a state-of-the-art Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola. The proposed Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will cost the state ₦19.6 billion, and it’s expected to be completed within 52 weeks. The landmark project is designed to significantly strengthen maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare services across the state.
The project aligns with Governor Fintiri’s commitment to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. The hospital will also improve access to quality healthcare and position Adamawa as a referral hub for specialized medical services in the North-East region.
As reported by Daily Trust, the hospital will be equipped with modern medical technology and specialized units when completed.
The state governor explained that the hospital capable units to handle high-risk pregnancies, neonatal intensive care, pediatric emergencies, and other complex medical cases affecting women and children. Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will also serve as a training and research centre for healthcare professionals.
It will help to strengthen capacity and improve the quality of medical services within the state’s health sector. It will offer other healthcare services like advanced diagnostic and laboratory services, fully equipped operating theatres, intensive care units, emergency response facilities, and modern inpatient wards designed to provide quality care for patients.
Recall that Fintiri’s administration executed over 100 infrastructural, educational, health, and social projects across Adamawa state, transforming both urban centres and rural communities. The administration completed major road networks, flyovers, and township roads, including the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha Flyover, Yola, and the Nyibango-Yolde Pate Road in Yola South.
Over 100 new primary health care centres were built, while hospitals such as Numan General Hospital and Specialist Hospital, Yola, underwent comprehensive development and modernisation.
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