A Port Harcourt couple, Julie Akue Onwuegbu and her husband, Wisdom Onwuegbu, have been remanded in the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre following their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an alleged N10 million land fraud.
The couple appeared before Justice S.I. Mark of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, to face a three-count charge involving advance fee fraud and obtaining money under false pretenses.
The Allegations
The charges stem from a petition filed in November 2024 by Mr. Taofik Bello. According to the prosecution, Mr. Bello was introduced to Julie Onwuegbu in April 2024 by an intermediary named Enitan Joseph, under the guise that she was the legitimate owner of a plot of land located at Queen Park Estate (also known as Royal Park Estate) in the Eneka area of Obio/Akpor Local Government, Rivers State.
The petitioner reportedly paid N10 million for the property in two installments—N1 million and N9 million—transferred into the first defendant’s accounts at Eco Bank and First Bank. Following the payment, the defendants provided a signed Deed of Conveyance to the victim.
However, the transaction turned sour when Mr. Bello’s efforts to develop the land were thwarted by another individual claiming rightful ownership. Subsequent investigations revealed that the property was not owned by the first defendant. Furthermore, investigators discovered that portions of the proceeds were funneled into a corporate account belonging to her husband, Wisdom Onwuegbu.
Legal Proceedings
During the arraignment, both defendants entered a plea of “not guilty.”
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- Prosecution: Counsel I. Igwu requested that the court remand the defendants and set a date for trial.
- Defense: Counsel Igwe Okoronkwo moved for bail, urging the court to release the couple to facilitate the preparation of their defense.
Justice Mark ordered that the defendants be held at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre. The court has adjourned the matter until July 10, 2026, when a ruling on the bail application is expected.
