IGP drags ex-Senator Andy Uba, others to court over alleged fraud

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed a lawsuit against former Anambra South Senator Andy Uba and two others over alleged fraud.

The two-count charge, filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024, also lists Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu as co-defendants, with another individual, Hajiya Fatima, reportedly at large.

The charges were brought before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 10, 2024, following a filing by Abdulrashid Sidi of the Police Force Headquarters’ Legal and Prosecution Section.

In the first count, Uba and the other defendants are accused of conspiring in 2022 to commit fraud.

They allegedly misled George Uboh into believing they could secure the appointment of a Managing Director for the Niger Delta Development

“A presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006.”

In count two, the defendants and Fatima, who is at large, in 2022 within the jurisdiction of the court, were alleged to have conspired amongst themselves with intention to defraud and induced George Uboh by making a presentation to him that they had perfected way to give an appointment of the post of Managing Directorship of NDDC to any interested person who could afford the sum of N400 million.

“A presentation which you know is not true. You obtained the money and converted it into your own personal use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (2) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006,” the count read in part.

Uboh, in a letter dated April 5, 2023, and addressed to the I-G, said the petition was based on documentary and voice recording.

According to Uboh, the evidence is overwhelming and irrefutable.

No fewer than six witnesses had been listed to testify against the ex-lawmaker and others.

Justice Ekwo adjourned their arraignment until Feb. 18, 2025.

The adjournment followed a complaint by M.L. Anthony, who appeared for the I-G on Nov. 13, that the defendants had been evading the service of the court documents despite being given administrative bail.

Anthony told the court that they had been on the matter since 2023.

He said the defendants obtained a fundamental rights enforcement order which had prevented the police from bringing them to court.

The lawyer said it was until after the order was lifted that the defendants were finally charged before the judge.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to allow the defendants take their plea. (NAN)