A couple, Mr. Emmanuel Dike and his wife, Ugochi Dike, have been remanded in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre over alleged involvement in N500 million fraud.

The family was charged on five counts of conspiracy and fraud in suit Number FHC/PH/458c/ 2023.

When the matter was mentioned before Justice P. I Ajoku of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the couple separately pleaded not guilty to charges filed by the federal government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the charge, the accused persons allegedly defrauded one company, Clipboard Office Superstores Limited of N500 million under the pretence that it was for investment purposes that will yield the company 10 per cent interest.

The charge reads: “That you Ugochi Eziaku Dike, Emmanuel Dike and Phils Associates Ltd.; Kelechi Chigozirim Ahiawe (still at large) and Ampletech Integrated Services Ltd, sometimes between August 24, 2020 and February 15, 2021, at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony, to wit: obtaining money by false pretence, and thereby committed an offence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section l(3) of the Same Act.”

Also at the mention of the matter, the defence counsel, Jerome Okeke, told the court that he had filed an 11-paragraph affidavit to support his bail application.

He pleaded with the court to grant his clients bail, assuring that they will be present at all sitting and will not jump bail.

However, the prosecution counsel, Dr. Ben Ubi who also filed an 18-paragraph affidavit to counter the bail application, told the court to refuse the bail plea.

Reacting to the arguments on the bail application, the trial Judge, Justice Ajoku, granted their bail application.

Ajoku granted them bail to a sum of N1million each, adding that their surety must be up to grade level 12 in the Civil service of Rivers state, and should present a letter of employment and certificate of occupancy.

The court however, adjourned till January 30, 2024 for trial and remanded the accused persons in the Port Harcourt Correctional Center, pending when they met the conditions of the bail.