By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A legal practitioner Imoh Ekong will remain at the Uyo Correctional Centre in Akwa-Ibom till October 19 when his bail application will be heard over an alleged N12 million property fraud.
Imoh Ekong is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a Federal High Court sitting at Uyo on a two-count charge bordering on stealing and fraudulent conversion of N12 million in respect of a property.
The EFCC operatives in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State apprehended Mr Ekong in December 2017 following a petition from one Ime Umo who alleged that he had paid the lawyer N12 million in 2015, as part-payment for a property in Uyo.
According to the EFCC, “The petitioner, however, could not pay a balance of N28 million for the property because he found out that the power of attorney presented to him by Mr Ekong was allegedly forged.
He also discovered that the property had previously been sold to someone else”, the EFCC said in its statement.
Mr Ekong was arrested and arraigned at the State High Court, Uyo, where he was granted bail in 2019. Thereafter, he jumped bail.
He was re-arrested by the EFCC and arraigned on Monday before Justice Maureen Onyetenu of a Federal High Court in Uyo.
After listening to the charge preferred against him, the lawyer pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
In view of his not guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, Victor Ukagwu informed the court that the defendant had previously jumped bail and asked court not to grant him bail but instead, remand him.
After listening to the prosecutor, Justice Onyetenu ordered the suspect to be remanded at the Uyo Correctional Centre.
The court adjourned the matter till 19 October for hearing on the defendant’s bail application.
