The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign a 58-year-old woman, Rita Izehia Iyoha, for allegedly defrauding a couple of ₦446 million in a property scam.

According to reports, Iyoha, in collaboration with her sister, Fidelia Oghenetejiri, allegedly deceived Frank Obruche Esemudje and his wife under the pretext of selling them a property located in Effurun, Warri, Delta State.

The sisters reportedly posed as the rightful owners of the property, claiming it was part of their inheritance. However, after the victims paid the full amount, they were unable to take possession of the property due to a court judgment that had already restrained its sale.

Efforts to recover the money failed when Iyoha fled to Ghana shortly after the transaction. EFCC operatives later tracked her down and arrested her at a popular motor park in Lagos upon her return to Nigeria. She has since made useful statements and will be arraigned in court soon.

Meanwhile, her sister, Fidelia Oghenetejiri, is already standing trial before Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, on a three-count charge bordering on advance fee fraud and obtaining money under false pretence.

One of the charges states that Oghenetejiri fraudulently obtained ₦50 million from the victims through her bank account under the pretence that it was for the purchase of the same property. She has pleaded not guilty and is currently remanded in a correctional facility pending further proceedings.