BENIN CITY — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Benin Zonal Directorate, has arraigned Amechi James Oduofor before Justice C.A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City on an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, impersonation, and obtaining money by false pretences.
Oduofor’s arraignment follows an extensive investigation into a sophisticated $285,000 crude oil scam orchestrated against a foreign investor from Singapore, Jimmy Kee.
According to court filings presented by prosecution counsel I.M. Elodi, the defendant allegedly targeted the victim sometime in 2020. Operating under the fictitious identity of “Engr. Wilcox Bright,” Oduofor falsely presented himself as the Desk Manager of Operations (Offshore Loading Petroleum) for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
To execute the fraud, the defendant created a fraudulent email address (brightweeks62gmail.com) and transmitted forged credentials, including a fake NNPC identity card and a fabricated “Proforma Invoice for Marine (ATB).” Through these deceptive maneuvers, he successfully induced the Singaporean national to part with $285,000 under the guise of paying for a fictitious cargo reassignment fee for Nigerian light crude oil.
When the charges were read in court, Oduofor entered a plea of “not guilty.”
Following his plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in custody. Justice Obiozor granted the request, ordering Oduofor to be remanded in a Correctional Facility.
The case has been adjourned to November 19, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Do you want to advertise with us?
Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event?
Contact us on WhatsApp +2348033617468, +234 816 612 1513, +234 703 010 7174
or Email: validviewnetwork@gmail.com
CLICK TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP