The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Josephine Anietie Philip and a native doctor, Effiong Okon, over allegations of fraudulent land deals in Akwa Ibom State.
They are accused of profiting from fraudulent activities related to land racketeering.
The arraignment took place at the Federal High Court in Uyo, presided over by Justice Chigozie Onah. The EFCC charged the defendants with six counts of criminal conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences, amounting to N24.3 million.
One of the charges stated that Josephine Anietie Philip fraudulently obtained N16.3 million from Ndifreke Godwin Friday in February 2024, under the pretence of selling land located at No. 3 Owok Ekong Lane, Mbiabong Anyanya, Etoi, Uyo. The charge further claimed that she knew the sale was fraudulent, violating Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, which is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
Another charge accused Ime Effiong of laundering N6.5 million between February and April 2024. The funds, transferred through a First Bank account operated by Eno Ime Effiong, were allegedly part of the proceeds from the fraudulent land sale. The charge cited Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and carries a penalty under Section 18(3) of the Act.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The EFCC’s counsel, Joshua Abolarin, requested that they be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre while awaiting trial. The defence lawyer, C. I. Odo, requested bail on their behalf.
Justice Onah upheld the prosecution’s request for remand, directing the defendants to remain in custody. The defence was instructed to submit a formal bail application, which will be heard on November 1, 2024.
The EFCC alleges that Philip and Okon collected N16.3 million and N8 million from two different buyers for the same parcel of land, totalling approximately 932 square meters at No. 3 Owok Ekong Lane, Mbiabong Anyanya, Etoi, Uyo.
The case has been adjourned until November 1, 2024, for the bail application hearing.
