Alleged Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex-lawmaker, Chuma Nzeribe, Wanted

Former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Chuma Nzeribe, has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The agency called upon members of the public to help with information that can lead to his arrest, giving his last known location as Abuja, Nigeria.

The declaration by the anti-graft agency follows his conviction in absentia by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Recall that the EFCC had preferred a four-count charge against Nzeribe which bordered on false pretence, forgery and using forged documents as genuine, and cheating by impersonation.

Nzeribe was alleged to have, sometime in March 2013, had in his possession a document containing false pretence with reference number MFCT/LA/FCT 1302, dated June 18, 2003, bearing the name of Ramatu Alhassan.

Delivering judgment last Monday, the presiding judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, held that the prosecution was able to prove its case against Nzeribe beyond any reasonable doubt.

The judge held that the charges are intertwined and went ahead to convict the defendant on all four counts.

The ex-lawmaker could however not be jailed as he wasn’t in court after jumping bail. The judge said sentencing will be delivered when either the Inspector-General of Police or the EFCC arrest Nzeribe and present him in court.

To this end, the EFCC in a statement on Monday by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren said Nzeribe is yet to be seen.

“His last known address is at Block M7, Flat 8, NNPC Housing Estate, Area 11, Garki, Abuja,” the spokesperson stated.

“Anyone with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its offices or report to the nearest Police Station and other security agencies” he added.