EFCC Arraigns Woman Before Federal High Court In Rivers State Over Operation Of Illegal Business

The Port-Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Lechi Comfort Ndukwe and her companies identified as Dukwe Inc. Ltd, and Gray and Strong Limited respectively.

Ndukwe was arraigned before Justice M. L. Abubakar of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on an eight-count charge bordering on illegal operation of unlicensed businesses and obtaining money by false pretences contrary to Section 58 and punishable under Section 59 (6) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, Cap. B3 LFN, 2004.

Lechi Comfort Ndukwe, the arraigned woman, was found wanting when some petitioners alleged that she lured them into investing their money in her companies, which were not registered by a licensed body, where she advertised products tagged: “Gray and Strong”, ” Women in Oil” and “Smart Pick Investment” to the public.

Meanwhile, EFCC has also alleged that they invested in different schemes carried out by the companies, where investors were tricked into believing that they were entitled to some benefits which include medical kits for the elderly and monthly returns on investments.

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However, Ndukwe pleaded not guilty to the charges brought before her when she was arraigned on February 21, 2019.

One of the counts read:

 “That you, Lechi Comfort Ndukwe, Dukwe Inc. Ltd, Charles Ndukwe (at large) and Ekweogu Henry Nwawuike (at large) between year 2011 and year 2018 at Port-Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did carry on other financial business without the requisite licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 58 and punishable Under Section 59 (6) of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, Cap. B3, LFN, 2004.”

The Prosecuting counsel identified as N.T. Iko applied for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the woman in prison.

Defence counsel identified as M.E. Nwosuikwe, moved the motion for bail but was opposed by Iko. Justice Abubakar further adjourned the case to March 4, 2019, for hearing.