The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday June 27, 2016, arraigned Nneka Okechukwu and Nkiru Celine Okor before a Lagos State High Court, Igbosere on 15-count charge bordering on stealing and forgery.

Okechukwu and  Okoro are alleged to have converted the sum of N119, 788, 610.36k (One hundred and nineteen million seven hundred and eighty eight thousand six hundred and ten thirty six kobo),  proceeds of sale of shares of Blue Chip Companies  belonging to the estate of late Cyril N. Ukachukwu, to their own use.

When the charges were read to the defendants, they pleaded not guilty.

Parts of the charge read:

“That you Nneka Okechukwu and Nkiru Celine Okoro sometime in 2013 at Lagos within the lagos Judicial Division dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N63, 028, 785. 32K (sixty three million, twenty eight thousand, seven hundred and eighty five naira, thirty two kobo) being the proceeds of sale of shares of Blue Chip Companies, property of the Estate of Late Cyril N. Ukachukwu entrusted to you for the sole purpose of transmitting the said shares to C.N Ukachukwu and Sons Limited and recover the unclaimed dividends that accrued on the shares.

“That you Nkiru Celine Okoro on or about 5th day of June, 2013 at Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division forged the C.N. Ukachukwu and Sons Limited Board Resolution dated 5th June, 2013 addressed to the Registrar, Zenith Registrars Limited and purported the said Board Resolution to have been signed by the company’s Managing Director, Ukachukwu Geoffery Jeff, Ukachukwu Benedict (Director), Ukacukwu Arinze Increase (Director) and yourself Mrs. Nkiru Celine Okoro as the Company Secretary”.
 
In view of the plea of the accused, prosecution counsel, Elizabeth Oyedotun prayed the court for a trial date to enable the prosecution prove its case against the accused and to remand the accused in prison custody. The defense counsel, Timothy Okonkwo and Kinsley Ngu for the first and second defendants,  informed the court of their bail applications dated June 21, 2016 and prayed the court to grant their applications. After listening to both counsel, Justice Taiwo said the defendants would continue enjoying the administrative bail given to them by EFCC.

The matter has been adjourned till June 30, 2016.

Media & Publicity
28th June, 2016