EFCC arraigns woman over alleged N18m fraud

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a woman, Salt Adaeze Udoka, before the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, over an alleged N18 million fraud.

Udoka was arraigned on Tuesday by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency before Justice F. Olubanjo on a one-count charge bordering on fraudulent possession of funds.

According to the charge, the defendant allegedly fraudulently took possession of N18 million belonging to Mrs Angela Anyekpe, an offence said to be contrary to Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under the same Act.

The charge reads: “That you, Salt Adaeze Udoka, sometime in 2026, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently took possession of the sum of N18 million belonging to Mrs Angela Anyekpe, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to her.

Following her plea, prosecution counsel urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial, while defence counsel prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail pending the hearing of the case.

Justice Olubanjo granted the defendant bail on conditions set by the court and adjourned the matter for the commencement of trial.

The EFCC disclosed that the prosecution followed a petition alleging that Udoka fraudulently obtained the money from the complainant through false pretences.