Pastor in police net for swindling people of 52million naira.

A 52-year-old pastor, Peter Nwogu, was remanded in Kirikiri Maximum prison for allegedly defrauding accommodation seekers of N52.3 million.

Originally the accused was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as he committed the offences between July and August 2013 in Lagos.

The offences contravene Section 1(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006.

According to the EFCC Counsel, Mrs Olubunmi Bosede, now Peter Nwogu is facing a seven-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences.

The fraud scheme was the following: Nwogu using his outfits - Christian Defence Fellowship and Business Defence Solutions Ltd. - placed advertisements for lease of property in some national newspapers.

The fraudster pretended to be the owner of the properties situated at No. 6, Gerrard Road Ikoyi and No. 6, Olawale Dawodu St., Ikoyi, Lagos.

Nwogu recieved N52.3 million from Mrs Vivian Obinabo, a real estate agent, under the pretext of leasing the mentioned property to her clients.

Among Obinabo's customers were lots of reputed companies such as Manuchar Trading Company Ltd., Sony Flying Dove Ltd., Akintola Williams Delliote and Associated Press.

It's became known that the accused didn't manage to file his application for bail when the case came up.

Nwogu (who lives at Plot 1697 Karamu Rotimi St., Victoria Island, Lagos) pleaded not guilty to the charge, if convicted he would face a minimum of seven years imprisonment.