The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on July 7, 2022, arraigned the trio of Umeh Vitalis, Utom Sunday Egwu and Osita Jude Nnaji before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court, Benin on three count charge bordering on retention of proceeds of crime.

Vitalis, Egwu and Nnaji are alleged to have sometime in 2019 took possession of the aggregate sum of N99, 996,751.46, alleged proceeds of criminal conduct.

One of the counts read: “that you, Umeh Vitalis sometimes between 13th and 15th August 2019 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the aggregate sum of Ninety-nine Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty One Thousand Naira, Forty Six Kobo ( N99,996,751.46) from your Access bank account no: 003983951 to Access bank account of MEGA Care Medicals Nigeria Ltd knowing that same represent proceeds of the criminal conduct of Utom Sunday Egwu, to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( Establishment) Act 2004 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act .

Another count reads: “that you, Osita Jude Nnaji on or about the 14 August 2019 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court did take possession of the sum of N4,500,000 (Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) which you deposited in your Access /Diamond Bank Account number: 0053522833 knowing that same represent proceeds of the criminal conduct Utom Sunday Egwu to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under section 18 (2) of same Act”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, F.A Jirbo prayed the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the defendants at the Correctional Centre.

Justice Ikponmwonba ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Correctional Facility and adjourned the matter till August 1, 2022 for trial

Media & Publicity

7 July, 2022