Greg Okwumbu Faces 7 Years Imprisonment For Fraud, Forgery As Trial Begins March 17, 2025

Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State – Greg Okwumbu, an Ogwashi-Uku native, is set to stand trial for fraud and forgery, charges that could land him a seven-year prison sentence if convicted. Okwumbu was arraigned before the Magistrate Court in Ogwashi-Uku for allegedly forging palace documents to defraud Ifejiaka Haruna Estate, Asaba, of ₦15 million.

The case, filed under Charge No. MO/23C/2025, alleges that Okwumbu fraudulently used the official letterhead of the Ogwashi-Uku Land Committee and forged the signature of Barrister Henry Tobechukwu Ogidi to issue a fake Letter of Allocation Approval.

After evading police invitations for seven months, Okwumbu was arrested by crack detectives from the Delta State Police Command at a bank in Ogba, Lagos, and later transferred to Asaba, where he was formally charged.

Forgery and Fraud Charges Carry Stiff Penalty

Okwumbu is facing two criminal counts:

1. Forgery of an official Palace document to execute fraudulent land deals, an offence punishable under Section 473 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C.21, Vol 1, Laws of Delta State, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.

2. Fraudulent preparation of a forged letterhead for unauthorized land allocation, violating Section 467(2)(M) of the Criminal Code Law.

His trial is scheduled to commence on March 17, 2025.

Links to Palace Invasion and Bail Release

Okwumbu was represented by Barrister Francis Okolie, who himself is a defendant, along with Mr. Mike Nwaukoni, in an ongoing terrorism and attempted murder case at the Federal High Court. The two are accused of invading the Obi’s Palace in October 2023, causing destruction, and setting police vehicles ablaze.

The magistrate granted Okwumbu bail at ₦2 million, requiring a civil servant as surety. After initially struggling to meet the bail conditions, he has now been released from custody pending trial.

Palace Condemns Fraudulent Land Sales

The Palace of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, through its Palace Secretary, Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, has strongly condemned the activities of land grabbers and fraudsters who forge Palace documents to deceive unsuspecting buyers.

Prince Emordi also warned the public against falling victim to fraudulent land transactions and reaffirmed the Obi’s commitment to working with law enforcement to prosecute offenders.

He further decried the misinformation campaign being orchestrated by fraudsters on social media, stating that their blackmail tactics are aimed at discrediting the Obi while covering up their criminal activities.

The Palace urged all prospective land buyers to exercise caution and report fraudulent land deals to prevent being defrauded.