A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled March 5, 2025, for the arraignment of Senator Andy Uba and two others over alleged ₦400 million fraud.
Court Orders Substituted Service
Justice Inyang Ekwo granted an ex-parte order allowing the prosecution to serve the two-count charge on Uba and his co-defendants through substituted means at their last known addresses.
The court further ordered that the service of the court documents must be effected within seven days.
The prosecution lawyer, M. C. Anthony, told the court that:
- The defendants had been evading service, despite being granted administrative bail by the police.
- The case started in 2023, but the defendants initially obtained a fundamental rights enforcement order preventing their prosecution.
- After the order was vacated, the defendants were finally charged, necessitating the request for substituted service.
Allegations Against Senator Uba
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024, was filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). It accuses Uba, Crystal Chidinma Uba, and Benjamin Etu, alongside one Hajiya Fatima (now at large), of obtaining ₦400 million from George Uboh under false pretenses.
According to the charge:
- The defendants claimed they could facilitate the appointment of Uboh as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in exchange for ₦400 million.
- They allegedly converted the money for personal use.
Details of the Charges
- “That you, Andy Uba, Crystal Chidinma Uba, Benjamin Etu, and Hajiya Fatima (now at large), sometime in the year 2022, conspired to commit an offence to wit: obtaining by false pretenses by making a representation to George Uboh that you had perfected a way to secure an appointment as Managing Director of the NDDC for any interested person willing to pay ₦400,000,000, a claim which you knew to be false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.”
- “That you, Andy Uba and others, in 2022, conspired with the intent to defraud by inducing George Uboh to part with ₦400,000,000 under the false claim of securing an NDDC appointment, and converted the money for personal use, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1 (2) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Petition by George Uboh
The charge is based on findings by police investigators following a petition by George Uboh, who claimed he was deceived into paying ₦400 million.
According to Uboh’s petition:
- Andy Uba promised to refund the money if the appointment did not materialize.
- ₦200 million each was transferred into two accounts provided by Uba.
- Despite multiple promises, Uba has failed to refund the money.
Previous Attempts to Arraign the Defendants
The arraignment was initially scheduled for November 13, 2024, but was stalled due to difficulties in serving court documents on the defendants.
The prosecution alleges that the defendants have been evading service, despite receiving administrative bail from the police.
What’s Next?
- The defendants are expected to be arraigned on March 5, 2025.
- If convicted, they face punishment under the Advance Fee Fraud Act.
- The case highlights high-profile fraud allegations involving political figures in Nigeria.
This case will be closely watched as it unfolds in court, particularly given Uba’s political status and the implications for Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
