In a recent development at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu has deferred the trial of Prof. Uche Chigozie Edwin, accused of defrauding maize farmers of N1.4 billion, to May 20, 2024. The postponement came as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) began its prosecution by presenting the first witness against Edwin and his associated companies.
Prof. Edwin, alongside Visionary Integrated Consulting Limited, NEMAD Associates Limited, and Revamp Global Enterprise, faces 11-count charges. These charges involve conspiracy, retention, and conversion of funds amounting to N1,473,367,046.04, alleged to have been fraudulently taken from the Maize Growers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MAGPAMAN). The indictment suggests that these funds are proceeds from unlawful activities, specifically fraud, under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.
Upon re-arraignment on Thursday, February 15, 2024, Edwin and the entities pleaded not guilty to all counts. During the session on March 13, 2024, the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, C.C. Okezie, introduced the first prosecution witness (PW1), Mary Kugbe, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA). Kugbe’s testimony highlighted her indirect knowledge of the defendant through his banking activities with UBA under Visionary Integrated Consulting Limited.
Kugbe detailed the bank’s cooperation with an EFCC request in 2021 for the account statement and opening documents of the second defendant, Visionary Integrated Consulting Limited. These documents were later tendered in court and accepted as exhibits.
With the trial now set to continue on May 20 and 21, 2024, this case marks a significant point in the EFCC’s efforts to clamp down on financial crimes within Nigeria’s agricultural sector, promising a rigorous examination of the allegations against Prof. Uche Edwin and his companies.
