Two Charged in $50,487 Cross-Border Fraud in Lagos

Uch Anderson and Chiekea were arraigned on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Lagos for their alleged involvement in a cross-border fraud scheme amounting to $50,487. The charges, presented by prosecuting counsel Clifton Onovo, include six counts related to conspiracy and money laundering, violating the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.

The defendants are accused of conspiring to transfer illicit funds from Nigeria to the Democratic Republic of Congo, intending to conceal the funds' origin and evade detection within the financial system. Chiekea is further accused of abusing his position within the company to misappropriate funds and diverting sums for personal use.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their defense counsel, E.J.

Kachichukwu, filed a bail application, which the prosecutor confirmed receipt of and did not oppose. Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa granted bail at N10 million, requiring sureties to be property owners within the jurisdiction, and adjourned the trial to May 22-25, 2026.