The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of Uno Michael Eke, Chief Executive Officer of Micheno Multi-purpose Cooperative Society, for conspiracy, obtaining property by false pretence, and money laundering to the tune of N2 billion.
The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State sentenced Michael Eke, to one year imprisonment for fraud.
He was convicted for conspiracy, obtaining property by false pretence, and money laundering to the tune of N2 billion in four-count amended charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement issued on Saturday, the EFCC said that Eke pleaded guilty to the four-count amended charges preferred against him before the trial judge, Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghorie, who subsequently convicted him.
According to statement signed by EFCC’s Head Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, investigation by the commission revealed that Eke collected huge sums of money from unsuspecting victims with a promise of 80% return on investment within 40 days.
He opened different bank accounts in his name and company’s name, where he accumulated N2 billion from his victims. The funds were used to acquire landed properties and houses in Calabar, Cross River State.
Meanwhile, as part of his sentence, Eke was ordered to forfeit several properties, including 12 flats, two plots of land, and 18 self-contained flats, all located in Calabar. He was also ordered to forfeit N10 million recovered during the investigation.
Some of the count reads “That you, Uno Michael Eke (being the President/Chief Executive Officer of Micheno Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society); Registered Trustees of Micheno Multi Purpose Cooperative Society, MMCS, Aya Kanu Aya, (Alias Mbakara) being the Vice President of Micheno Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (now at large), sometime between June and August 2018 in Calabar within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired among yourselves to commit an offence to wit: obtaining property by false pretence and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act’.
Count two reads “That you, Uno Michael Eke (being the President/Chief Executive Officer of Micheno Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society), Registered Trustees of Micheno Multi Purpose Cooperative Society, MMCS, Aya Kanu Aya (Alias Mbakara) being the Vice President of Micheno Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (now at large), on or about the 12th day of July, 2018 in Calabar within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000.00) from one Kubnse Ogar Ebute by inducing her to invest the money into your Swiss golden packages through your Micheno Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society Ltd. under the false pretence of paying her 80% as return on investment on her principal sum on the 40th day of his investment, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an Offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.
The agency said the EFCC’s conviction of Eke demonstrates the commission’s commitment to protecting Nigerians from fraudulent activities and ensuring that those who engage in such activities are brought to justice.
