The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on July 17, 2012, arraigned Mr. Buchi Francis alias James Ochala before Justice Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Abuja, on a one count charge of fraud.

The charge reads: “That you, Buchi Francis alias James Ochala, on or about the 7th day of March, 2012, in Abuja, within the judicial division of the Federal Capital Territory, did dishonestly withdraw the sum of N17, 482.84 (Seventeen Thousand Four Hundred and Eighty two Naira Eighty Four kobo) from the account of one Okpara Kelechi Peace at Zenith Bank without her consent and hereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the Penal Code cap 532 Laws of the Federation 2004”.

The accused pleaded not guilty and prosecution counsel, Agbo Friday Ojonu, urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody and fix a date for the commencement of trial but the defence Counsel, Temitope Ogunbona, urged the court to admit the accused to bail as the offence that he allegedly committed is bailable. However, the prosecution counsel opposed the oral bail application, insisting that the application must be presented formally before court.

In his ruling, the judge granted bail to the accused person in the sum of two million naira (N2 million) with one surety in like sum. He said the surety who must be a public officer of any grade level should also swear to an affidavit of means.

He adjourned the case till October 22 and 23, 2012, for commencement of trial.

Wilson Uwujaren
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
17th July, 2012.