The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has recovered $13,204.00 from a Nigerian man, Nwachi Chidozie Kingsley, being prosecuted for defrauding an American, Nicole Kierulff Sayers of $370,000 through a contrived marriage.
Also recovered from the defendant is a plot of land in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Lexus Ex 350 and Toyota Venza cars.
The recoveries from the defendant were revealed by the second prosecution witness, Okanne Kelechi while testifying beforw Justice U.P Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja on Tuesday.
The witness who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Fatsuma Muhammad disclosed that among the evidence against the defendant are “various fraudulent profiles in Linkedin which he admitted to creating,” adding that there was also a fraudulent contract award letter printed from his phone. That same letter was sent to his American victim in chats claiming that the contract was awarded to him by the Federal government.”
Kelechi told the court that investigation into the matter involved writing a letter of investigation of the defendant’s activities to the Forensic Department of the EFCC, several local banks as well as the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, with the purported contract award letter attached.
He further told the court that a response from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing indicated that the award was not genuine. The defendant admitted sending the fake contract award letter to Sayers and other foreign .victims
“We received our report from the Forensic Department and our findings for his gadgets. The victim, Nicole, also sent evidence of transactions received from international money transfer operators. From other analyses, we discovered that part of this money was sent into his bank account supervised by his sister, one Nwachi Doris Chinenye”, he said.
Tendered in evidence against the defendant were certificate of identification, notice of nominal complaint with copies of intent to award contract and iPhone 11Pro Max.
The witness further informed the court that upon confronting the defendant with the evidence, his lawyers responded with a letter for a plea bargain. “We recovered $13,204, Lexus Ex350 and Toyota Venza.
Justice Kekemeke adjourned the matter till April 30, 2024 for continuation of trial.
