Alleged N84m Property Fraud: Court Adjourns Asagwara’s Case to June 9

Proceedings in the alleged N84 million property fraud case involving Aba-based lawyer, Mr. Peter Asagwara, 48, were on today, Tuesday April 29, 2026 stalled at the Federal High Court following the absence of the prosecuting counsel.

The matter, which was earlier instituted at a Magistrate Court in Umuahia, was unable to continue at that level due to the ongoing industrial action by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Abia State.

At the resumed hearing, the case could not proceed as scheduled when the prosecution failed to appear in court at the time it was called.

Counsel to the defendant informed the court that Mr. Asagwara was currently ill and undergoing medical treatment, rendering him unable to attend the session. He consequently appealed for an adjournment to enable the defendant recover and be present for trial.

The court, noting the circumstances and recalling that an earlier adjournment had been granted, approved the request and adjourned the matter to June 9, 2026, for continuation of proceedings.

Mr. Asagwara, an Aba-based lawyer, is facing charges bordering on alleged fraud involving N84 million in a disputed property transaction. He had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Recall that Asagwara was earlier arraigned before Magistrate Court 2 sitting in Umuahia on charges of obtaining money under false pretence and related offences. The case stemmed from a complaint by an Aba-based businessman, Mr. Chibuike Akusiobi, who alleged that he paid the lawyer N84 million to facilitate the purchase of a property along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway near Ariaria International Market.

The complainant further alleged that instead of receiving a proper receipt for the transaction, he was issued a document presented as a Power of Attorney, which was later discovered to be forged. He also claimed that only a fraction of the money was reportedly paid to the property owner, who eventually refunded the amount after the transaction failed.

The defendant was subsequently arrested by police operatives and remanded in custody after pleading not guilty before the magistrate court, prior to the transfer and adjournment of the case.