The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Philip Eze and his company, Orimiri Oil and Gas, for fraud before Justice A.H. Musa of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja.

The charge reads: “That you, Philip Ifejimalu Eze, while being the Managing Director of Orimiri Oil and Gas sometime in 2024 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, induced one Amech Nduka of Amatex Oil and Gas to deliver 45,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) valued at N63 million only. The payment was made via a bank cheque of Mainstreet Bank Plc, which you knew had already been liquidated, as it was rejected at Zenith Bank Plc when presented for payment.

“This pretence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

Eze pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him, prompting the prosecution counsel, Mariya Ujudud Shariff, to request a date to commence trial.

Justice Musa granted the suspect bail with two sureties, one of whom must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 12. The surety must bring a letter of introduction from their place of work to be verified by the Court Registrar, while the other must have a house within the court’s jurisdiction, depose to an affidavit and sign a N2 million bail bond.

The judge adjourned till November 11, 2025, for the commencement of trial.