The long arms of the law has finally caught up with Kelly Nwaogu, an estate developer when he was brought before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday for reportedly swindling an Ojodu-based church of the sum N65million.

Nwaogu who was charged along with his company, Livelihood Homes Limited with others who are currently on the run, is being prosecuted by the Police Special Fraud Unit, with three counts offences – conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and fraudulent conversation.

Justice Peter Lifu of the High Court was told by the prosecutor, Emmanuel Jackson, that the accused with his cohorts who are still at large, promised the church plots of lands which they claimed was on sale at the Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, and Agbara, Badagry Expressway in Lagos. The church, not suspecting any fowl play, deposited N65 million to the defendant’s bank account. On receipt, he neither delivered on his promises nor did he give back the money to the church.

His actions according to Jackson breaches Sections 8(a), 1(1)(8) and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006 and Section 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as Amended in 2012.

After the accused had pleaded not guilty to all charges laid on him, the prosecutor asked that he be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre till his case is settled by law.

However, when Nwaogu’s counsel, Bernard Omang, asked that his client be granted bail pending when the trial commences, the Judge denied his request saying he could not see an application before him supporting his plea.

Notwithstanding, while the case was moved to June 14 for trial, the accused was asked to be taken to the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.