TVC E. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday April 20th, arraigned Benedicta Akunna Onwuamagbu and her hotel, Benitex Hotels Limited before Justice A.M Liman of the Federal High Court Port Harcourt, Rivers State on one count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretense to the tune of N120 million.
The count reads “that you Benedicta Akunna Onwuamagbu between 23rd February, 2010, at Muoba Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court with intent to defraud obtained a building and premises known as Focal Hotels Limited situate, lying and being at No. 121, NTA Road, Mgbuoba Obio/Akpor Local Government Area Rivers State from one Chief Engr. Obadiah Ezenekwe, under the pretence that you are capable of paying the total sum of N120.000,000.00 (One Hundred and Twenty Million Naira) only being the cost price for the sale of the building and premises, which pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act. She pleaded not guilty to the charge”.
In view of her plea, the prosecution counsel, E. Abiyesuku, asked for a date for the commencement of trial. However, the defense counsel, Dr. A. O. Yusuf applied for bail for the defenfant pending trial. Justice Liman granted her bail in the sum of One Million Naira (N1, 000, 000. 00) and one surety in like sum. The matter was adjourned to June 15, 2016 for trial and the defendant remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of her bail.
