EFCC on Tuesday, arraigned a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Prince Benjamin Benedict Apugo on a three count charge bordering on obtaining N36,000,000 by false pretence.
He was alleged to have fraudulently sold six (6) plots of land valued at N36.000,000 (Thirty Six Million Naira Only) belonging to the Nigeria Railway Cooperation located at Umunwulari Nkata Ibeku layout, Planning Scheme Umuahia.
Apugo, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him before Justice Osiagor of the Federal High Court ,Umuahia Abia State. His plead however led Joshua Saidu to apply for a trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending trial. R.M Udechukwu (SAN) Apugo’s lawyer pleaded with the court to allow the accused to continue with the administrative bail granted him by EFCC.
The court, however, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10, 000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira Only) and two sureties. The sureties are to be senior civil servant, minimum of deputy director and should have landed properties within Umuahia, and the documents kept under court register.
The defendant Chief Apogu is to remain in court custody till the requirement are met and the judge charged both counsel and the court register to ensure strict adherence to the bail stipulations
The EFCC said that Chief Apugo’s arraignment was sequel to his arrest on Friday September 30, 2016 following a warrant issued by the court which considered his numerous attempts to evade taking a plea on the charge preferred against him.
The matter has been adjourned to 17th and 18th November for trial.
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