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N6.8m romance scam: EFCC arraigns woman in Borno
By Francesca Hangeior
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a woman identified as Catherine Ijeoma Ugwu before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri.
Ugwu was arraigned on charges of fraud amounting to N6.8 million.
The arraignment, which occurred on Monday, March 17, 2025, stems from allegations of a romance scam perpetrated by Ugwu.
Ugwu faced a four-count charge, including obtaining by false pretence, criminal misappropriation, and cheating by impersonation. According to the EFCC, the defendant defrauded Emmanuel Ani by falsely claiming to be his fiancée, “Miss Chinansa.”
The EFCC, in a statement posted on their official X handle, detailed the core charge. “That you Catherine Ijeoma Ugwu between the period of June, 2023 to August, 2024 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the aggregate sum of N6, 710,300.00 (Six Million Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Three Hundred Naira) from Emmanuel Ani into your bank account: 1778806195 domiciled with Access Bank plc. under the pretence that same is meant for the upkeep of his purported fiancee, one Miss Chinansa, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud related Offences Act, 2006.”
Upon the charges being read to her, Ugwu pleaded not guilty.
Prosecution counsel S.O Saka and Faruku Muhammad requested the court to set a trial date and remand Ugwu to a correctional centre. Justice Kumaliya granted their request, adjourning the case until April 8, 2025, for the commencement of the trial. Ugwu was subsequently remanded in a correctional centre.
The EFCC’s investigation revealed that Ugwu allegedly obtained N6.8 million by impersonating and pretending to be Ani’s fiancée. When confronted by the petitioner, Ugwu was unable to account for or return the money she had collected.
The EFCC statement added, “Ugwu’s journey to the Correctional Centre started when she obtained the sum of N6.8million by impersonating and pretending to be the fiancée of the petitioner. When contacted by the petitioner, the defendant can neither account for or return the money she collected.”
The case underscores the EFCC’s commitment to combating financial crimes and protecting citizens from fraudulent activities, especially those involving online deception.
Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has vacated the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The governor reportedly moved out on Wednesday morning, ahead of the anticipated arrival of Admiral Ekwe Ibas (rtd), who has been appointed as the new Sole Administrator of the state.
A visit by Daily Trust to the Government House on Wednesday morning revealed a calm atmosphere, with at least three armoured personnel carriers stationed at the main entrance.
A security source confirmed that there had been a change of guard at the seat of power, with all of the governor’s security details replaced.
“The governor left Government House this morning and the new administrator is yet to resume. We are expecting him any moment from now. The security details in Government House have been reshuffled. I can tell you that everywhere is calm and nothing is happening as we speak now,” the source said.
Meanwhile, residents of Port Harcourt have gone about their normal business, and there have been no signs of a breakdown of law and order.
This development follows President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, citing the ongoing vandalization of pipelines and the failure of political stakeholders to resolve the crisis despite previous interventions.
The appointed Sole Administrator for Rivers State, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd), will not take charge of the state’s affairs until the National Assembly ratifies the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.
Recall in a nationwide address on Tuesday, Tinubu announced that Vice Admiral Ibas would take over the administration of Rivers State, following the escalating political crisis that has seen the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
President Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency and suspend key officials in the state comes amid a political standoff between Governor Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, now serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The declaration aims to restore order and resolve the ongoing crisis that has paralyzed governance in the state.
Despite the President’s declaration, sources who spoke with TheNation indicate that Vice Admiral Ibas is yet to assume leadership in Rivers State. He is expected to do so only once the National Assembly ratifies the state of emergency.
No Military Presence At Government House
Interestingly, despite declaring a state of emergency, according to TheNation, there has been no military presence at the entrance of the Government House in Port Harcourt.
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Unlike previous reports indicating military deployment, investigations revealed no military tanks or personnel were stationed at the Government House gates on Wednesday.
Instead, personnel from the Department of State Security (DSS) were observed patrolling the premises. Two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), which are regularly stationed at the Government House by the police, were seen near the entrance.
However, no additional military units were present to enforce the state of emergency.
The governor reportedly moved out on Wednesday morning, ahead of the anticipated arrival of Ibas, who has been appointed as the new Sole Administrator of the state.
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