The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, arraigned one Ogbonna Henry Onyebuchi
before Justice Ibrahim Watila of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port
Harcourt, Rivers State on a 2-count charge bordering on forgery and
uttering.
Onyebuchi was arrested alongside six others suspected to
be yahoo- yahoo boys at Rumuagholu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on 6
August, 2016, by operatives of the EFCC, following intelligence report on their alleged involvement in internet-related scam.
Phones and other fraudulent documents were recovered from them at the
point of arrest. Meanwhile, the six others arrested with Onyebuchi have
been charged separately.
Count one of the charge read: “that you Ogbonna Henry Onyebuchi on or about the 6th August, 2016, at Rumuagholu Port Harcourt, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to defraud and in order to facilitate the commission of a crime did forge a National Drivers Licence with Number PHC03150AA02 in the name of Samson Dike with the Intent that it may be acted upon as genuine and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous offences Act, Cap M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (2) of the same Act.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Adams Osu asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
However, counsel to the
defendant, P. O. K. Osuji, told the court that he had filed a bail
application for his client and served same on the prosecution. He urged
the court to grant his prayers. Osu acknowledged his application and did
not oppose it.
Justice Watila granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000. 00k (Five Hundred Thousand Naira only) and one surety in like sum, the surety must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.
Also, the surety must depose to an affidavit of means with his
passport photograph affixed to the affidavit.
Additionally, the sum of
N300, 000.00(Three Hundred Thousand Naira only) must be deposited to the
court registry pending trial and the address of the surety must be
verified by the court registrar.
The judge adjourned the matter to 4 July, 2017 for trial and ordered the defendant to be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of his bail.
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