Fraud trial of Paul Ezeafulukwe, President of Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN), has been adjourned.
Ezeafulukwe alongside his company, Pietech Limited, are dragged before a Federal High Court, Lagos, for alleged conspiracy, obtaining the sum N50 million by false pretence and issuance of dud cheques.
On Thursday Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala adjourned the trial of the businessman and his company for the said charges to April 28, 2026.
The defendant was arraigned before the court on the alleged offences sometime in December 2025.
According to the prosecutor, the fraudulent acts levelled at Ezeafulukwe are contrary to and punishable under Sections 8 and 1(1)(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. And section 1(1)(a) & (b) of the Dishonored Cheque (Offences) Act, Cap. D11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Following a letter written to the court by the prosecutor, Barrister Samuel Ogala, who in the communication said he’s on an official assignment outside the court’s jurisdiction, Justice Kala fixed April 28, for the defendant’s trial.
Charges against the businessman read: “That you Paul Ezeafulukwe ‘M’ and Pietech Ltd. sometimes in the month of February, 2023 at Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretense and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
“That you Paul Ezeafulukwe ‘m’ and Pietech Limited sometimes in the month of February 2023 at Lagos State w thin tbe jurisdiction on of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud fraudulently obtained the sum of N50 Million from Mr. Lucky U., under the pretense of using the send sum for an Investment, the representation you knew to be false and thereby commit.ed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 1(1}{3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud related Offences Act, 2006.
“That you Paul Ezeafulukwe ‘M’ and pietech Limited, sometimes in the month of February, 2023 at Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did obtain credit for yourselves by means of United Bank for Africa Plc. with Cheque Numbers.: 0000011, 033150396, 1025392646 and 021502829 drawn in favour of one Mr. Lucky U. and when presented was dishonored on account of insufficient fund and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 1(1)(a) & (b) of the Dishonored Cheque (Offences) Act, Cap. D11, LFN 2004.”
