Enugu lawyer to undergo EFCC questioning for land grabbing, forgery

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

An Enugu State based lawyer is now to face Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on investigation over an alleged land grabbing, impersonation and forgery.

The lawyer Bar. Benjamin Nwobodo, was arrested last Thursday by the anti-graft agency and was later released on bail.

Commending the agency over the arrest of the lawyer, the petitioner, Franklin Nwocha stated that the it was in connection to the lawyer’s alleged forgery, impersonation and criminal conversion of landed property of his deceased father.

EFCC he said has revealed that investigation over the allegation of forgery, impersonation and criminal conversion of landed property against the lawyer has commenced in earnest.

Speaking with Nation Update on Tuesday Nwocha said the property in question is situated in Emene, Enugu, worth approximately N1 billion.

Revealed, “This Illegal conduct has been going on for many years dating back from 1997 until date. He forged the signatures of the land owners, forged power of attorney claiming that he’s the appointed attorney representing the family and also claimed ownership of some areas as settlement for his legal fees.

“He has made so many sales of the land to unsuspecting individuals as he presents himself as the attorney of the estate of the deceased owner.

“There have been attempts to arrest him after an invitation by the police following a petition submitted to the police to investigate him, he resisted arrest and fled to court to sue the police for fundamental right and obtain restraining order in an effort to stall and truncate the allegations.

“We’re very happy now that EFCC has swung into action and I’m optimistic that justice will be served at the end of the day,” he added.

While responding to questions from our reporter over the telephone, the lawyer to Mr. Franklin Nwocha, Dr. Alex Akunegbu, said that the lawyer, Bar Nwobodo abused his ethics by appropriating properties that belong to his client because he thought that his deceased clients’ children were too young to know or not available.

He said, He thought that he could cover up to mean that some of the properties were used to pay him for his services. He used documents which were later found not to be genuine from investigation, meaning that the deceased, Chief Nwocha didn’t sign the documents.

“We reported the matter to EFCC at Enugu and the police as well. He was invited by the police and he used an injunction, court order under the guise of enforcing his fundamental right to invade justice. Subsequently Mr. Franklin Nwocha who is keen to recover his late father’s properties reported the matter at EFCC.

Speaking further he said, “Most times when the man was arrested his wife who is a Judge of the High Court of Enugu will use her influence and get him released.

“The matter now is at the EFCC and my client is insisting on proper investigation and for justice to prevail.