On May 23, 2022, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, secured the conviction of Chief Chuma Nzeribe, a former member of the House of Representatives, before Justice Yusuf Y. Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
On October 16, 2020, the EFCC charged Nzeribe with four counts of possession of a fraudulent document, forgery, using as genuine, and cheating by personation, all of which are punishable under sections 6, 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, as well as section 1 (3) of the same Act.
"That you, Hon. Chuma Nzeribe, sometime in March, 2013 at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did have in your possession a document containing false pretence to wit: Re: Application for Statutory Right of Occupancy within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with reference Number MFCT/LA/FCT 1302 dated 18/06/03, bearing the name of Ramatu Alhassan and thereby committed an offence contrary to
"That you Hon. Chuma Nzeribe did fraudulently make a false document to wit: Re: Application for Statutory Right of Occupancy within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with reference number MFCT/LA/FCT 1302 dated 18/06/03, bearing the name of Ramatu Alhassan and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Niger sometime in 2005 at Abuja,
When the charges were read to him, he pleaded not guilty, setting the stage for his full trial.
The prosecuting attorney, Maryam Aminu Ahmad, called five witnesses against the defendant during the trial.
The case was adjourned for judgement after the prosecution concluded its case. However, the defendant is said to have fled the country, and all attempts to locate him have failed.
Following that, Justice Halilu revoked the defendant's bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Following several adjournments and the defendant's failure to appear in court, the trial judge issued a judgement on Monday, May 23, convicting the defendant in his absence and restituting the nominal complainant, Ishaya Baba, his land located at Plot 1306 Cadastral Zone A05, Maitama Abuja.
Halilu was perplexed as to why a man who rose to become a member of the House of Representatives couldn't register the title document to the land he claimed he had acquired from someone, knowing it was in his best interests.
In accordance with Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Section 11 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and Other Related Offences Act 2006, and Section 78 of the Penal Code Act, Justice Halilu deferred the defendant's sentencing until the EFCC or the Inspector General of Police apprehend and bring him to court.
Source: LIB