EFCC Arraigns Siblings Over Alleged ₦3.2 Million Land Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned two siblings, Cypril Nwalaezi and Smart Nwalaezi, before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt over an alleged ₦3.2 million land fraud involving conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.

The defendants were arraigned on Thursday, July 2, 2026, before Justice Stephen Pam on an amended five-count charge filed by the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to the EFCC, the siblings allegedly deceived Franklin Nwachukwu into believing they had valid ownership of parcels of land located at Umuasukpo Farm Road in Igbo-Etche, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State before collecting money from him.

The Commission alleged that after receiving payment, the defendants fraudulently resold the same properties to other buyers.

One of the charges alleged that on Monday, October 17, 2022, Cypril obtained ₦2.75 million from the complainant by claiming ownership of two parcels of land measuring 1,150.805 square metres and 1,295.771 square metres.

Another count alleged that on Thursday, November 3, 2022, Smart obtained an additional ₦450,000 from the same complainant after claiming ownership of another parcel measuring 467.912 square metres at the same location.

The total amount involved in the alleged fraud is ₦3.2 million.

According to the charge, the alleged offences contravene Section 1(1)(b) and (c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

During the proceedings, prosecution counsel, C. Okorie, urged the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the determination of the case.

Defence lawyers, R. Agbabo and M. Nweke, prayed the court to admit their clients to bail.

Justice Pam granted Cypril bail in the sum of ₦500,000 with one surety in like sum, while Smart was granted bail of ₦50,000, also with one surety in like sum.

The court ordered that both defendants be remanded at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre until they meet their bail conditions.

The judge adjourned the matter until Thursday, September 17, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

The EFCC said the case followed a petition submitted by the complainant in June 2024, after he allegedly discovered in December 2023 that the same properties he purchased had been resold to other buyers.