EFCC Arraigns Six Suspected Fraudsters for Land Fraud in Uyo
The EFCC has arraigned six suspected fraudsters in Uyo over alleged land fraud. The case underscores the agency’s commitment to tackling real estate scams and protecting property rights in Nigeria.
The Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, arraigned six men before Justice Onah Sergius of the Federal High Court 2, sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for their alleged involvement in land fraud.
The defendants Emmanuel Edet Okon, Essein Edem Archibong, Edet Sam Udoh (alias Enobong Clement Etim), Edwin Etim, Anthony Christopher Atauyo, and Imaikop Okon Dickson were arraigned on three-count charges bordering on money laundering offences, conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence.
One of the counts reads:
That you, Emmanuel Edet Okon, Essein Edem Archibong, Edet Sam Udoh (alias Enobong Clement Etim), Edwin Etim, Anthony Christopher Atauyo, and Imaikop Okon Dickson, sometime in July 2025, at Uyo, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, using account number 1027675758 domiciled in United Bank for Africa (UBA), took possession of the total sum of ₦5,980,000.00 (Five Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira only), knowing that the said money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: obtaining money by false pretence, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.
In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Khamis Mahmoud prayed the court to fix a date for the prosecution to call its witnesses and establish its case against the defendants.
However, defence counsel, Peter Ekpo, Nsikak Edet, and Emmanuel Udoi prayed the court for a short date to enable the prosecution file formal bail applications for the defendants.
After listening to both sides, Justice Onah adjourned to November 24, 2025 for bail hearing and trial, and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The defendants' case began when one Aniekan Etukudo Koffi petitioned the Commission on their alleged criminal activities .
According to the petitioner, the accused persons conspired and defrauded him of ₦6 million by selling him a plot of land located at Ifa Ikot Ubo, Ifa Ikot Okpon-Etoi in Uyo Local Government Area of the State. However, after making payment, he tried to access and develop the land, but was met with resistance, as the sold property did not belong to the defendants
Media & Publicity
November 14, 2025
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