The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Catherine Ijeoma Ugwu before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court on March 17, 2025. The case involves allegations of a romance scam in which Ugwu is accused of obtaining a total of N6,815,300 (Six Million Eight Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Three Hundred Naira) through deception.
Ugwu faces four counts of charges related to obtaining money by false pretenses, criminal misappropriation, and cheating by impersonation. According to the first count, between June 2023 and August 2024, Ugwu allegedly defrauded Emmanuel Ani by pretending to be his fiancée, Miss Chinansa, and claimed that the money was needed for her upkeep. This amount was deposited into her Access Bank account.
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During the court proceedings, Ugwu pleaded not guilty to all charges. The prosecution team, comprised of attorneys S.O. Saka and Faruku Muhammad, requested a trial date and for Ugwu to be remanded in a Correctional Centre.
Justice Kumaliya adjourned the case until April 8, 2025, for the trial to commence, and ordered that Ugwu be held in custody. This case highlights the serious issue of romance scams and underscores the importance of vigilance in online relationships. Upon being contacted by Ani, Ugwu was reportedly unable to account for or return the funds she collected, leading to her current legal predicament involving the EFCC and allegations of a significant romance scam.
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