Senator Andy Uba, Crystal Chidinma Uba for trial over alleged N400m Advance Fee Fraud

The Inspector General of Police, IGP has filed criminal charges against Anambra State’s former governorship candidate, Senator Andy Uba for allegedly defrauding an applicant for the post of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to the tune of N400 million.

Senator Andy Uba is to be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja along with Crystal Chidinma Uba, Benjamin Elu and one Hajia Fatima for allegedly swindling one Dr George Uboh of N400m on the false pretence of securing the appointment of the Managing Director of NDDC for him.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024, the Inspector General of Police alleged that the former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, conspired with other defendants and allegedly made a false claim that he had perfected a way to an appointment of the NDDC MD to any interested person who can afford the huge sum.

In the process, Dr George Uboh was said to have fallen victim to the alleged false claim by transferring N400m in two tranches into the bank account supplied by Senator Andy Uba.

The IGP said although the Anambra State Senator made promises to refund the money in case the alleged deal failed, the politician was said to have refused to keep to his word when he failed to secure the job for his victim.

George Uboh, in a petition dated April 5, 2023, and addressed to the IG said the petition was based on documentary and voice recording.

According to Uboh, the evidence is overwhelming and irrefutable and the petition is based on documentary and voice recording evidence.

“Andy Ubah stated unequivocally to me that he has perfected a way to give NDDC Managing Directorship to any candidate who brings N400,000,000.

“That if the appointment does not occur, he will refund the money.

“I nominated my sister, Honourable (Engr.) Doris Uboh, who by profession is qualified to be NDDC MD.

“Andy Ubah provided two accounts and instructed a transfer of N200,000,000 each into the accounts.

“I instructed another sister of mine, Princess Engr. Ify Akanmode, who is a business partner and whose account I had some funds, to do the transfers.

“Till date, Andy Ubah has promised to pay and has not,” Uboh had alleged.

Part of the charge read “That you, Andy Uba, Crystal Chidinma Uba, Benjamin Elu and Hajiya Fatima now at large sometime in the year 2022 within the jurisdiction of this court, did conspire among yourselves to commit an offence to wit; obtaining by false presences by making a presentation to George Uboh that you have perfected a way to an appointment of the Managing Directorship of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC.

“That you made a presentation that the appointment will be for any person who can afford N400m only, a presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8 and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.

Count Two; “That you, Andy Uba, Crystal Chidinma Uba, Benjamin Elu and Hajiya Fatima now at large sometime in the year 2022 within the jurisdiction of this court, did conspire among yourselves with the intention to defraud did induce George Uboh by making a presentation to him that you have perfected a way to an appointment of the Managing Directorship of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to any interested person who can afford N400M only, a presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(2) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.

The Inspector General of Police listed 8 witnesses comprising George Uboh as the complaint, an investigative police operative and 4 Bureau De Change Operators to testify against the Senator and his co-defendants.

Meanwhile, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo has fixed their arraignment for February. 18, 2025.

The adjournment followed a complaint by M.L. Anthony, who appeared for the I-GP and complained that the defendants had been evading the service of the court documents despite being given administrative bail.

Anthony told the court that they had been on the matter since 2023.

He said the defendants obtained a fundamental rights enforcement order which had prevented the police from bringing them to court.

The lawyer said it was until after the order was lifted that the defendants were finally charged before the judge.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to allow the defendants take their plea.

Senator Andy Uba, Crystal Chidinma Uba for trial over alleged N400m Advance Fee Fraud