Justice Inyang Ekwo, of the Federal High Court in Abuja, adjourned proceedings in the case between the Nigerian Police and Senator Andy Uba to March 17.
The adjournment follows the filing of a 2-count amended charge by the police on March 4, which has not yet been served on the defendants.
The amended charge, filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), involves allegations of a ₦400 million fraud and is directed at Senator Uba, Crystal, and Benjamin Etu.
At the resumed hearing, Lukeman Anthony Esq. appeared for the prosecution (IGP), while C. F. Odiniru represented the defendants.
Anthony informed the court that the matter was set for arraignment, and the charge had been amended.
Justice Ekwo inquired when the amended charge had been filed.
In response, the police counsel confirmed that it was filed on March 4.
The judge then asked whether the defendants had been served the charge.
The prosecution’s lawyer answered in the negative, prompting Justice Ekwo to inquire how long the prosecution would need to serve the amended charge.
Anthony requested seven days for service.
In light of this, the court has directed that the amended charge be served on the first and second defendants.
The amended charge includes the following allegations:
Count One:
“That you, Andy Uba, Benjamin Etu, and Hajiya Fatima, now at large, sometime in 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Court, conspired to commit an offense, specifically obtaining by false pretenses.
You presented to George Uboh that you had perfected a way to appoint someone to the Managing Director position of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for anyone who could pay the sum of ₦400,000,000.
This presentation, which you knew was false, constitutes an offense under Section 8 and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act, 2006.”
Count Two:
“That you, Andy Uba, Benjamin Etu, and Hajiya Fatima, now at large, sometime in 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Court, conspired with the intention to defraud and induced George Uboh by presenting that you could offer the Managing Director position of NDDC to anyone who could afford ₦400,000,000.
After collecting the money, you committed an offense under Section 1(2) and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act, 2006.”
The case has been adjourned until March 17, 2025, for further proceedings.
