Nigerian Government files N135bn fraud charge against Ifeanyi Ubah

The federal government has filed charges against Ifeanyi Ubah, senator representing Anambra south, for alleged false claims and a debt of N135 billion to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

His arraignment, which was scheduled for Wednesday at a federal high court in Lagos, was adjourned till February 2020 owing to the absence of the senator. When the case came up, Olisa Agbakoba, counsel to Ubah, informed the court that his client has not been served with the charge. He also told the court that there is an ongoing mediation to settle the case out of court “since it is all about money”. But Ajibola Oluyede, counsel to Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited, Ubah’s company, acknowledged receipt of the charges and told the court that he has filed a preliminary objection to challenge the competence of the suit. Responding, Kunle Adegoke, counsel to the federal government, said he might be forced to apply for a warrant to compel Ubah to show up in court. One of the charges reads: ”COUNT 1, That you, Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah, and Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited, sometime between 2012 and 2018, conspired in making false claims in relation to the actual values of certain assets-transferred to Asset Management Corporation _of Nigeria (AMCON) under the Consent Judgment delivered in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/714/2012 on the 1st day of July, 2013 in partial payment of the Indebtedness of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited with a view to defeating the realisation of the said judgment debt of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited to AMCON, then standing In the sum of 135 Billion Naira contrary to Section 54(1)(a) and (d) of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria Act, 2010 (as amended).”