A Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has scheduled November 1, 2024, for bail hearing and trial for Josephine Anietie Philip and Effiong Okon, who are accused of land racketeering and fraud.
Philip, a woman allegedly involved in land fraud, and Okon, a native doctor accused of facilitating her criminal activities, were arraigned on September 27, 2024. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged them with a six-count offense involving criminal conspiracy and obtaining by false pretenses, totaling N24,300,000 (Twenty-Four Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira).
The charges stem from an incident in February 2024, where Philip allegedly obtained N16,300,000 from one Ndifreke Godwin Friday under the false pretence of selling a piece of land located at No.3 Owok Ekong Lane, Mbiabong Anyanya, Etoi, Uyo. The court also heard that Okon used over N6.5 million, which he allegedly knew was part of the proceeds from the fraudulent transaction, through an account at First Bank of Nigeria.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting the EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin, to request their remand at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Uyo. Defense counsel, C.I. Odo, made an oral application for bail, which was deferred by the court to the scheduled November 1 hearing.
The accused individuals reportedly sold the same land to two different buyers, collecting a total of N24.3 million. However, neither of the buyers was able to take possession of the land.
Justice Chigozie M. Onah ordered the remand of the accused persons while instructing the defense to make a formal bail application in preparation for the upcoming trial. The prosecution is set to present its case with witnesses at the next hearing.