Two Catholic priests — Reverend Fathers Silas Nweke and E.C. Obiorah — were on Wednesday, arraigned before a Federal High Court, sitting in Awka, Anambra state, for attempting to defraud some people in a cement deal.
The clerics were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a 35-count charge, bordering on obtaining by false pretences, popularly known as 419.
The catholic priests were accused of obtaining huge sums of money from certain persons and issuing them dud cheques, using the name of Holy Family Group of Companies in a cement deal, which occurred some years ago.
N. H. Osunkwo , the counsel for Father Nweke challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter.
He said the case had already been heard at different times at the Court of Appeal and also the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, C.J. Asiegbu, who represented Father Obiorah, told the court that a state High Court in Awka had delivered a judgment in the matter. in which the Holy Family Group of Companies and the accused persons were defendants.
The EFCC was represented in the case by two prosecution counsel, Joshua Saidi and Henry Anaso- as the Reverend Fathers were arraigned.
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