How Fake NNPC Staff Used Tactics to Defraud Victims N32m For Jobs

 

A woman who posed as a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to defraud her victims N32million has been arrested and arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

 

A trader identified as Prince exposed the woman when he told an FCT High Court in Kubwa on Monday that a fake staff, Mrs Uju Okoye, allegedly defrauded him and his friends of N2 million for a fake job at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

 

Igbokwue said this while testifying at the resumed trial of Okoye, in a matter filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

However, the EFCC while charging Okoye with nine counts bordering on obtaining under false pretence, said she defrauded her victims close to N32 million.

 

The witness, while being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Steve Odiase, told the court that the defendant was his neighbour and family friend in Uke Close, Gwarinpa, Abuja.

 

The EFCC alleged that the defendant pretended to be a staff of NNPC between 2013 and 2015, and obtained close to N32 million from job seekers through various bank accounts, promising to get them jobs, NAN reports.

 

He had told Igbokwue of a job opportunity at the NNPC at the time knowing that his wife, her older sister and younger brother needed jobs

 

“The defendant said money would be required to get the jobs. I informed my friends. Each of us paid between N150, 000 to N200, 000 each, amounting to N2 million.

“After failed attempts without getting the said jobs, my friends and I demanded our money back but she failed to return our money,” he added.

 

Igbokwue said he later discovered he was scammed by the defendant when the EFCC invited him to testify regarding a petition written by another victim of the defendant.

 

In cross-examination, the defence counsel, Obinna Ekezie asked the witness if he knew the NNPC was owned by the Government, the witness, however, said the defendant told him the money he paid her was needed at the office and that he had no reason to doubt her being a family friend.

 

After listening to the testimony, Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya, adjourned the case until Jan.19 for further hearing.