The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Catherine Ijeoma Ugwu before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri on charges of fraud amounting to N6.8 million.

The arraignment, which occurred on Monday, March 17, 2025, stems from allegations of a romance scam perpetrated by Ugwu.

Ugwu faced a four-count charge, including obtaining by false pretence, criminal misappropriation, and cheating by impersonation. According to the EFCC, the defendant defrauded Emmanuel Ani by falsely claiming to be his fiancée, “Miss Chinansa.”

The EFCC, in a statement posted on their official X handle, detailed the core charge. That you Catherine Ijeoma Ugwu between the period of June, 2023 to August, 2024 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the aggregate sum of N6, 710,300.00 (Six Million Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Three Hundred Naira) from Emmanuel Ani.

The EFCC’s investigation revealed that Ugwu allegedly obtained N6.8 million by impersonating and pretending to be Ani’s fiancée. When confronted by the petitioner, Ugwu was unable to account for or return the money she had collected.

The EFCC statement added, “Ugwu’s journey to the Correctional Centre started when she obtained the sum of N6.8million by impersonating and pretending to be the fiancée of the petitioner. When contacted by the petitioner, the defendant can neither account for or return the money she collected.”

The case underscores the EFCC’s commitment to combating financial crimes and protecting citizens from fraudulent activities, especially those involving online deception.

PUNCH