By EDITH NWAPI

An FCT High Court in Maitama has fixed March 22 for ruling in a case of alleged of alleged cheating filed against a former House of Representatives member, Chuma Nzeribe.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Nzeribe, a former governorship aspirant on the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, platform in Anambra with impersonation, possession of false federal government

documents and using same to cheat.

Justice Halilu Yusuf fixed the date to deliver judgment in the matter.

Although, judgment was fixed for Friday, Justice Yusuf, gave Nzeribe another date following the absence of the lawmaker in court.

Earlier, his counsel, Charles Ndukwe told the Judge that a relation of his client sent a letter that the former House of Representatives member was down with high blood pressure.

The letter from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital dated March 10 was presented in court.

The Judge directed the lawyer to contact his client on phone to know how long it will take him to recover.

However, following the inability of the counsel to give a categorical date, Justice Yusuf fixed March 21 with an order that the defendant must be physically present in court for the judgment to be delivered.

The EFCC counsel, Ms Mariam Ahmed, told the court to use discretion.

The EFCC alleged that the defendant was in possession of statutory right of occupancy bearing the name of Ramatu Alhassan with reference Number MFCT/LA/FCT 1302 dated 18/06/03.

The Anti-graft agency said this is contrary to Section 6, 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud related offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

EFCC alleged also that being a false document is contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) and punishable under Section 364 of the same Act.

The EFCC also alleged that the defendant cheated by Personation, represented himself Alhassan.

This, EFCC said, contravened the provisions of Section 321 of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under section 324 of the same Act. (NAN)

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