EFCC Arraigns Echendu Endy for Alleged ₦9 Million Visa Scam
The Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently arraigned Echendu Ndubuisi Endy, Managing Director of Echendu GPC Limited, before Justice E. A. Obile of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, on three-count charges of visa scam and obtaining money under false pretenses.
The allegations stem from Endy’s supposed actions between April and May 2024 and August and September 2023, during which he allegedly obtained a total sum of ₦7 million from two individuals under false pretenses. According to the charges, Endy claimed to have the ability to procure United Kingdom work permit visas for the two individuals, which was known to be false.
Endy was arraigned on one count charge, which states that he obtained ₦4 million from Mr. Darlington Abuchi on the pretext that he had the capacity to procure a United Kingdom work permit visa, knowing that this was false. The second count charge alleges that Endy obtained ₦3 million from Mrs. Ngozi Nzechukwu under similar circumstances.
During the arraignment, Endy pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting prosecution counsel K. A. Yunus to request the court to set a trial date and remand Endy in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS). Endy’s defense counsel, P. U. Alikor, subsequently filed a bail application and asked the court to grant bail to enable Endy prepare for his trial.
In his ruling, Justice Obile remanded Endy at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to November 28, 2024, for the hearing of the bail application.
