The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday July 2, 2013 arraigned one Jerry O.J Igbokwe before Justice S.A Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on a 2-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.

When the charges were read, the accused pleaded not guilty.

One of the counts read; "That you Jerry O.J Igbokwe and Chris Igwilo (now deceased) on or about the 26th day of July, 2012 at Port Harcourt within the Jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of seven million naira (N7,000,000.00) only from one Alhaji Jauro Atiku under the pretext that the said sum will be used for the purposes of financing an LPO from Prodeco, a pretext 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 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act".

The accused and his accomplice, both staff of Union Bank Plc, GRA Junction Branch, Port Harcourt allegedly approached the complainant for a loan of N7million when they noticed he had idle funds in an account domicile with their bank. The complainant obliged their request and they signed an agreement to seal the deal. Since then, he made several attempts at recovering his money without success.

Upon taking his plea, counsel to the accused person, A Enide, asked the court to grant his client bail as the offence was bailable and that the accused person will be available to face trial.
Justice Aliyu granted the accused person bail in the sum of N1 million and a surety in like sum who shall be a civil servant in the Rivers State Civil Service of not less than grade level 15, and a resident within the jurisdiction of court.
The case was adjourned to the 26th Nov, 2013 for hearing.

Media & Publicity Unit