Senator Andy Uba
Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has given the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) the go-ahead to prosecute Senator Andy Uba and his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu, over allegations of N400 million fraud.
The case was adjourned to September 24 for the defendants to take their plea.
According to the prosecution, Uba, Etu, and one Hajiya Fatima (now at large) allegedly conspired to commit the offense by making a false presentation to Mr. George Uboh that they could secure the appointment of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for any interested person who could afford N400 million.
“A presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act, 2006,” the charge reads in part.
The case was initially before Justice Inyang Ekwo but was reassigned to Justice Mohammed Umar after Ekwo’s suspension by the National Judicial Council (NJC). When the case was called, only Etu and his lawyer were present, with Uba allegedly abroad for medical treatment.
The prosecution counsel questioned Uba’s absence, describing the medical claim as “speculative” due to lack of documentary evidence. Etu’s lawyer claimed the subject matter of the charge had been settled, saying, “What is funny is that the subject matter of this charge has been settled. The money has been paid”.
Justice Umar adjourned the matter until September 24 for the defendants to take their plea.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had reviewed the case and directed the police to proceed with the prosecution, stating that a prima facie case exists against Uba, Etu, and Fatima.
