EFCC Arraigns Senior Lecturer For N35m Land Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 arraigned one Beatrice Emetigho Orife before Justice M. O. Omovie of the Delta State High Court, Asaba, on a count charge bordering on stealing to the tune of N35, 000,000. 00 (Thirty Five Million Naira), contrary to section 390(9) of the criminal code, cap 21, volume 1, laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

Specifically, this is a case of obtaining money under false pretence which was reported to the Commission on the 4th of June, 2015 on behalf of Royal Exchange Plc against Beatrice Emetigho Orife.

The petitioner alleged that sometime in August 2013, Beatrice Emetigho, a senior lecturer in the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba, carried on the business of land speculation under the name Dauodu Emetigho (Nig) Enterprise, and presented a parcel of land measuring 3,388.820sq. meters for sale at the cost of N45,000,000 which she claimed was covered by C of O No. DTSR 9664.

An advance of N35,000,000.00 wad paid by the petitioner but upon taking possession of the land, it was discovered that the land had been sold to someone else and all efforts to get their money back proved abortive.

The charge reads:

“That you Beatrice Emetigho Orife (a.k.a. Daudu Emetigho (Nig) Enterprises) sometime in August 2013, in Asaba within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, fraudulently converted to your own use the sum of N35,000,000.00 (Thirty Five Million Naira), property of Royal Exchange Plc”.

The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against her.

In view of her plea, prosecuting counsel, Mustapha Aliyu, asked the court for a trial date and pleaded that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.

Aliyu told the court that he was just served an application for bail by the court registrar and he needs time to reply on points of law.

The defense counsel, N. Ohre informed the court that he has pending applications before the court which he would like to withdraw.

He however made an oral application and prayed the court to grant the defendant bail on liberal terms.

Justice Omovie rejected the oral application made by counsel to the defence and ordered him to make a proper application.

The matter was adjourned to May 9, 2017 for hearing and the judge ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.