Also named in the charge marked FHC/AWK/25/2020 are the Managing Director of Castle Equipment & Logistics Limited, Chibueze Ojeh, 40, MD/CEO, Obinna Nwosu, and Pamela Onaga.
They are arraigned before the court by the PSFU on a five-count amended charge of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences, $950,000 fraud, and issuing dud checks.
Oraegbunem and Onaga are said to be at large.
The victim of the alleged crimes is a businessman named Chief Nnamdi Ezenwa, MD/CEO of Vinna Investment Limited.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The trial, ongoing since 2020, initially had Jackson prosecuting, but after his retirement in April 2025, the defendants moved to disqualify him, citing a lack of authority under various legal provisions.
In response to the defendants’ motion, the PSFU, through Sunday Ubani, stated that, contrary to the claims, upon Jackson’s retirement, the police continued to retain, engage, appoint, instruct, and authorise him in writing as their legal consultant, adviser, lawyer, and prosecutor.
Ubani also submitted that the Commissioner of Police for the Police Special Fraud Unit directed the issuance of a letter of authorisation or fiat appointing Jackson as police counsel to handle civil and criminal cases, including those handled during his service and new cases assigned from time to time.
He further clarified that the court’s jurisdiction does not depend on Jackson’s appearance or absence, but on the police’s authority, which can be questioned only by the Attorney General.
The police lawyer argued that denying the police counsel the right to represent them would hinder justice, as he is duly engaged and authorised to handle this case and others for the police.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu reviewed all documents and cases cited, upheld the prosecution’s preliminary objection, and dismissed the defendants’ motion to disqualify the prosecutor.
The trial of the defendants is now adjourned to June 4, 2026.
