EFCC arraigns Ijeoma Ugwu in Borno court over ₦6.8 million romance scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Catherine Ijeoma Ugwu before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri on charges of fraud amounting to ₦6.8 million.

The arraignment, which occurred on Monday, March 17, 2025, stems from allegations of a romance scam perpetrated by Ugwu.

Ugwu faced a four-count charge, including obtaining by false pretence, criminal misappropriation, and cheating by impersonation.

According to the EFCC, the defendant defrauded Emmanuel Ani by falsely claiming to be his fiancée, “Miss Chinansa.”

The EFCC, in a statement posted on their official X handle, detailed the core charge.

“That you Catherine Ijeoma Ugwu between the period of June, 2023 to August, 2024 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the aggregate sum of ₦6, 710,300.00 (Six Million Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Three Hundred Naira) from Emmanuel Ani into your bank account: 1778806195 domiciled with Access Bank plc. under the pretence that same is meant for the upkeep of his purported fiancee, one Miss Chinansa, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud related Offences Act, 2006.”

However, Ugwu pleaded not guilty to the charges read to her.

READ ALSO: EFCC nabs 21 fraudsters in Bauchi, confiscates cars, phones

Prosecution counsel S.O Saka and Faruku Muhammad requested the court to set a trial date and remand Ugwu to a correctional centre.

Justice Kumaliya granted their request, adjourning the case until April 8, 2025, for the commencement of the trial.

Ugwu was subsequently remanded in a correctional centre.

The EFCC’s investigation revealed that Ugwu allegedly obtained ₦6.8 million by impersonating and pretending to be Ani’s fiancée. When confronted by the petitioner, Ugwu was unable to account for or return the money she had collected.

The EFCC statement added, “Ugwu’s journey to the Correctional Centre started when she obtained the sum of ₦6.8million by impersonating and pretending to be the fiancée of the petitioner.

“When contacted by the petitioner, the defendant can neither account for or return the money she collected.”

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