Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested one Basil Iwoba Ochili, Managing Director, Debasilio Construction and Estate Development Limited, for allegedly using the company for fraudulent activities, including obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N128, 000, 000. 00 (One Hundred and Twenty-eight Million Naira).
Ochili was arrested based on claims of a petitioner alleging that sometime in September 2022, he falsely presented himself as the owner of five plots of land situated beside Anambra State Secretariat by Stamford Hotel, Aroma junction, Awka, Anambra State, and falsely offered it for sale.
Relying on the suspect’s representation, the petitioner purchased the said plots in the sum of N128, 000, 000. 00 (One Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million Naira), which was paid into the suspect’s company account. However, he was unable to take possession of the land
Preliminary investigations showed that the suspect knew that the said land encroached on Anambra State Government Secretariat’s land but went further to sell the same to the petitioner. Instead of refunding the petitioner’s money, the suspect offered him two dud cheques.
Further preliminary investigations showed that the suspect used part of the money to settle his debts and his company, Debasilio Construction and Estate Development Limited, has never been tax compliant.
The suspect will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded.
