The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Barrister Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu.
He is facing a 20-count charge bordering on forgery, possession of forged documents, and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of ₦15,700,000 (Fifteen million, seven hundred thousand naira).
Nwobodo was initially arraigned on January 27, 2025, on a five-count charge before the same court, where he pleaded “not guilty,” setting the stage for trial. He was granted bail on self-cognisance.
During the trial, EFCC counsel, Chief Superintendent Chikezie Raymond Edozie, presented six witnesses and tendered several exhibits, all of which were admitted in evidence.
At the hearing on April 23, 2026, the prosecution informed the court of an amended charge, which was read to the defendant. He again pleaded not guilty. The prosecution subsequently closed its case, and the matter was adjourned to April 30, 2026, for the defence to open its case.
The court had earlier, on March 4, 2026, issued a strong warning against Nwobodo for allegedly interfering with prosecution witnesses through harassment and intimidation within and outside the court premises. The court warned that his bail could be revoked if such conduct continued.
Count one of the charge states that Nwobodo allegedly forged a land purchase receipt dated January 15, 2014, worth ₦9,000,000, purportedly issued by Onyekachi O. Nwocha and Christiana C. Nwocha, with intent to defraud, an offence punishable under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
Count seven alleges that on April 25, 2014, he presented a forged land purchase receipt worth ₦5,500,000 to Ude Chinedu Emmanuel, also allegedly issued by the same persons, with intent to defraud.
The defendant, who represented himself in court, is expected to open his defence on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
