EFCC Docks 39 Yr Old Gerald Ifeanyichukwu Mobougwu Over N3m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today at the Federal High Court in Ikeja arraigned one Gerald Ifeanyichukwu Mobougwu, 39, on three counts of allegedly obtaining the sum of N3.2 million from one Grace P. Enyeting under false pretences.  

The EFCC said Mobouhwu, in an advertisement in his church magazine, "The Voice of Communion" in April 2009, invited investors to invest N1 million for 540 days and earn a return of N1, 590,163.93k.  He also claimed that some celebrities were among the directors of the Accredited Bonds & Hedges Limited, which was located at 30A Taoridi Street in Surulere, Lagos.

“Based on this advertisement which appeared in the magazine of Communion Church, Festac Town, Lagos; Grace O. Enyeting had no cause to doubt the credibility of the investment company since her church member, (Gerald) was the Managing director of the company,” EFCC reported today.  “Oblivious of the fact that Gerald only used the advert to lure church members into investing in the company, Enyeting invested over N3 million into the company only to discover that she had been duped.”

When the case came up before Justice Simeon Adah, Mobouhwu pleaded not guilty to all the charges.  The judge granted him bail in the sum of N5 million and one surety who must be a resident of Lagos State.
The case was adjourned till 28th of June 2012 for commencement of trial.

Some of the charges read:

Count 1:
“That you Gerald Ifeanyichukwu Mobougwu and Accredited Bonds & Hedges Limited between June and December, 2009 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, carried on financial business to wit: collecting deposits from Mrs. Grade Patrick Enyeting to the tune of #3,200,000 and other sums of money from various other members of the public, through Accounts No.2392030003397 with First Bank of Nigeria Plc and No.00051223500454 with Diamond Bank Plc without a valid license from Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 58 (1) of Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, Cap. B3, Laws of the Federal of Nigeria, 2004 but punishable under Section 59 (6) (a) (b) of the same Act.”

Count 2:

“That you Gerald Ifeanyichukwu Mobougwu and Accredited Bonds & Hedges Limited in, 2009 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whereas you are neither banks nor persons authorized by law to take deposits, issued advertisement in a magazine titled " The voice of communion" published by communion church, Festac Town, Lagos, inviting the public to deposit money with you by way of investment in your business venture and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 44 (1) but punishable under section 44 (2) of Banks and Other Financial Institutes Act, Cap. B3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”