The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Chidiebere Christian Okeke, a Bureau De Change operator, before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State.
Okeke appeared alongside his two companies, Paderlambs Investment Limited and Ishiugbo Nigeria Limited, on a three count charge of forgery and obtaining by false pretence involving the sum of 446,579,629 naira.
The first count alleges that between October 2023 and November 2023 in Onitsha, Anambra State, Okeke and Paderlambs Investment Limited, with intent to defraud, obtained from Izuchukwu Okeke of Alphard Candy and Sons Limited an aggregate sum of 446,579,629 naira. The money was first paid into the account of Nwadili David Chukwuka, who trades as Ifeabata Ventures, and was later transferred into the accounts of Paderlambs Investment Limited and Ishiugbo Nigeria Limited. The defendant claimed he had remitted the renminbi equivalent of the sum to Izuchukwu Okeke’s business partner in China, a representation he knew to be false. The offence is contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Fraud Offences Act 2006 and is punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.
A further count alleges that in 2023 in Onitsha, Anambra State, Okeke made forged telex documents purportedly emanating from JCI General Trading Pty Limited, 4169 Brisbane, Australia. He knew the documents to be false or intended that they be used or acted upon as genuine, to the prejudice of Izuchukwu Okeke, Managing Director of Alphard Candy and Sons Limited. This is contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Okeke pleaded not guilty to the charges. Counsel to the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC Michael Ikechukwu Ani, applied for a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Awka.
The court adjourned the matter to 19 November 2026 for the hearing of the bail application. Okeke was remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The defendant was handed over to the Commission on 30 October 2024 by the Department of State Services following a petition from Izuchukwu Okeke. The petitioner stated that between September 2023 and November 2023 he gave the sum to Nwadili David Chukwuka, another Bureau De Change operator, for the renminbi equivalent to be sent to his business partner in China. Chukwuka later informed him that the money had been given to Okeke for transmission. When confronted, Okeke admitted receiving the money but did not transmit it. He instead issued a worthless cheque in an attempt to refund the sum.
By John James
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