Church elder dupes Pastor of N10 million
Ojo Taiwo
An Onitsha based businessman Chris Onyebuchi Ijeoma alongside his company Tellers International Limited on Wednesday was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
He was arraigned on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretense and stealing the sum of N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira Only) belonging to the head pastor and general overseer of a Pentecostal church in the commercial city.
The complainant (pastor), had earlier written a petition to the commission, claiming that in 2014 the accuse Onyebuchi’s came to him with a business proposal to help with 10million to finance his importation of insecticide and pest sprayer from the USA and promised to pay back within three months, after the sales of the products.
He explained further that the suspect who was an elder in the church collected the money on 18th of March 2014. But the accused failed to return the fund after the three months elapsed.
The complainant approached the suspect to know why the product was not yet imported; he was told a new development had taken place, which was different from the earlier agreement.
However, Onyebuchi claims that the money has been diverted to invest in a US-based cream company and awaiting NAFDAC approval before the goods will be imported to Nigeria.
When the case was called, the suspect pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The presiding judge Justice Gafia denied the oral application for bail by the Defence counsel, C.M. Obijagwam.
However, he said the defence counsel should apply formally and he ordered that the suspect is remanded in prison custody pending the hearing of the bail application.
The case has been adjourned to June 6 and 8, 2017 for furth
