A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has ordered the arrest of a businessman and Chief Executive of a security company, Briech Intelligence Fusion Limited, Dr Bright Echefu.
The court ordered his arrest over allegation of $651,280 fraud.
Echefu, also the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Satellite Television (TSTV), is alleged to have defrauded BCG NEEDS Company of the said amount under the pretence of supplying drones and accessories.
Echefu had earlier been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), over allegation of tax evasion, money laundering and advanced fee fraud.
The court granted the request for a warrant of his arrest after the motion was moved by John Paul Eze Esq. of O. J Law Consult
The Magistrate, Okechukwu John Akweke, ordered that a bench warrant be issued against Echefu and his company to compel their appearances before the court in line with Section 113 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
The case was adjourned to December 9, 2024 .
The complainant, BCG NEEDS, told the court that Echefu, under false pretence, used Briech Intelligence Fusion Limited, his company, to request for the supply of drones and accessories from the complainant, worth $651,280.00.
According to the complainant, the request was done via a Local Purchase Order with Ref:BIFC/LPO/TS/ABJ/088106 dated October 21, 2022, to the complainant.
“After the supply of the drone and accessories by the complainant, the defendant became incommunicado and refused to pay the complainant since 21st of October, 2022 till today in spite of several demand letter and verbal demand.
“The defendants criminally converted the drone, accessories and the sum of $651,280.00 under false pretence of doing business with the complainant.”
In another charge before the Federal High Court marked FHC/ABJ/CR/254/2023, Echefu, Igboanuga, TSTV and another company, Briechberg Investment Limited, listed as the first to fourth defendants, respectively, were accused of money laundering, bordering on tax evasion, unremitted VAT, company income tax and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deducted from the salaries of 165 workers, punishable under Section 15 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, as amended in 2012.
They were alleged to have on May 18, 2020, diverted to their personal use N33.9 million, N13.5 million and N19.4 million tax money payable to the Federal Government in breach of Section 15 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.
Court orders arrest of businessman over alleged $651,280 fraud
