Enugu Judge Warns Lawyer on Trial for N12m Land Fraud Over Witness Harassment

ENUGU, March 7, 2026 – Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court in Independence Layout, Enugu, delivered a stern rebuke to self-representing defence counsel Barrister Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo on Wednesday, accusing him of repeatedly harassing and intimidating prosecution witnesses inside and outside the courtroom.

Nwobodo faces a five-count indictment from the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for forgery and obtaining N12 million by false pretences through fraudulent land sales. Arraigned earlier and granted bail on self-recognizance after pleading not guilty, the lawyer’s conduct during proceedings prompted immediate judicial intervention.

Court Confronts Witness Intimidation

EFCC prosecutor Chief Superintendent Chikezie Raymond Edozie alerted the court during the March 4 session, recounting how Nwobodo shouted at a witness (PW5) just outside. “My lord, this afternoon, while I was seated here, someone came in and told me that Nwobodo was shouting at my witness. I went outside and saw him actually shouting,” Edozie stated.

Confirming the incident, PW5 testified that Nwobodo questioned his presence at court and urged him not to testify when the EFCC counsel approached. The judge, emphasizing the gravity of such actions, warned: “Mr. Nwobodo, interfering with prosecution witnesses is a serious matter for which I can revoke your bail… Let it be the last time… The next time I get a report that you accosted any witness, I will revoke your bail.”

Forensic Evidence Bolsters Prosecution Case

Prior to the altercation report, the court heard from PW4, EFCC forensics expert Assistant Commander Joshua Oloye from the Forensics and Crime Laboratory Department. Oloye presented a request letter and forensic report analyzing disputed signatures on a Power of Attorney and three land purchase receipts.

His findings were unequivocal: “The disputed signatures marked X to X3 do not bear internal resemblance with the known specimen signatures marked A to A5… They were not written by the same person.” The documents, tendered as Exhibits 39 (1-11) and 40 (1-8), directly implicated Nwobodo in forging signatures to deceive buyers.

Victim Recounts Fraudulent Land Deal

PW5, identified as Christopher, detailed his ordeal: Nwobodo sold him three plots in Emene, Enugu, for N3.7 million, providing a Deed of Assignment and survey plan. Christopher developed two plots but faced disruption on the third when a claimant asserted ownership linked to someone in London, exposing the scam.

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Count three exemplifies the charges: “That you, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo… obtained N9,000,000 from Wilson Ikeani Igwe under the false pretence of selling three plots at Emene, Enugu,” violating the Advance Fee Fraud Act of 2006.

The trial resumes March 12, 2026. This incident underscores ongoing EFCC efforts against land fraud in southeast Nigeria, with the judge’s warning serving as a broader caution to defendants on bail.