The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a lawyer, Victor Azubike Awah, and his company, Sparkan Ives Limited, on a six-count charge of fraud and related offenses before the Lagos State High Court. The charges, which include stealing, obtaining money by false pretence, and issuance of dud cheques, are in connection with an alleged N27 million fraud.

According to the EFCC, Awah allegedly obtained the sum of N27 million from Mrs. Onwuekwe Chioma Genevieve under the false pretence of having a plot of land for sale. The offense is said to have been committed between October 2024 and February 2025 in Lagos. The charge sheet reads in part: “That you, Victor Azubike Awah, sometime between October, 2024 and February, 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of 27,000,000.00 (Twenty Seven Million) from Mrs. Onwuekwe Chioma Genevieve under the false pretence that you have a plot of land advertised for sale.”

Awah pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him. The prosecution counsel, A. M. Dambuwa, requested a trial date and prayed for the remand of the defendant in a correctional centre. Awah, who represented himself during the proceedings, will have his bail application heard on December 17 and 18, 2025, along with the commencement of the trial.

Justice O.A. Okunuga ordered that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC’s custody until the next hearing. The case highlights the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat financial crimes and fraud in Nigeria. The commission has been actively prosecuting cases of advance fee fraud, money laundering, and other related offenses in recent years. The outcome of this case will be closely watched as it progresses through the courts. With the trial set to begin in December, the prosecution will need to present its evidence to prove the allegations against Awah and his company.