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DID UGOCHUKWE FORGE EFA DOCUMENTS?

02/06/2020 01:44:00 BY MBONGISENI NDZIMANDZE AND THEMBA ZWANE

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MBABANE – The Nigerian star, Bright Ugochukwu Ezurume, who is accused of defrauding Standard Bank Swaziland close to E500 000, is further alleged to have forged a letter purportedly from the Eswatini Football Association (EFA).

Uzureme is alleged to have forged the EFA documents when applying for the renewal of his work/ residence permit to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Not only did he allegedly forge the letter heads of the association, but is said to have also counterfeited the signature of EFA Chief Executive Officer, Frederick Mngomezulu.

“The alleged forged letter reads: “The above mentioned Nigerian citizen passport number A06686703 is currently employed by Fairview Cosmos FC, a local team campaigning in the Manzini Regional League.

“The EFA request your assistance in the renewal of his residence/work permit for a period of 24 months to enable the player to pursue his football career.”
Mngomezulu has since deposed to an affidavit where he denied to have written the letter that was directed to the chief immigration officer, supposedly written and signed by him.

He stated that the association was in receipt of correspondence from the Manzini Regional Commissioner of Police, which was handed to his (Mngomezulu) office for attention.
Mngomezulu mentioned that the letter was in relation to a criminal investigation in terms of which a certain individual, Bright Ugochukwu Ezurume, alleged that he was in possession of a letter dated October 15, 2018, purportedly written by EFA.

“Having perused the said letter dated October 15, 2018, I am of the opinion and do confirm that this letter is not genuine. It was not written by the EFA and does not emanate from EFA’s office. It does not originate from EFA,” reads part of Mngomezulu’s affidavit.

He went on to state that to fortify his assertion that the said letter was fake, the signature that appeared at the foot of the letter did not belong to any officer employed by EFA, authorised to sign-off letters.

“Further, all letters originating from the EFA are on letterheads as hitherto. These letter- heads bear the EFA’s physical address, which is emblazoned at the bottom of the page. This letter (one used to apply for the permit) does not have this important feature, added the EFA CEO.
He stated that, even further, the football club, Fairview Cosmos FC, on which the fake letter was purportedly based, was defunct and ceased existence. He said this was the information in the EFA’s possession as a custodian of all football matters.

forged

“Therefore I state unflinchingly that the documents are forged and EFA categorically distances itself therefrom,” concluded Mngomezulu.
These are allegations contained in an affidavit whose veracity is still to be tested in court.
Meanwhile, the Royal Eswatini Police Service averred that Ezurume, who is accused of defrauding Standard Bank Swaziland close to E500 000, is a computer specialist who can forge any document under the sun.

These averments were made by the investigator of the case, Nqobile Tsabedze, in her papers where the police are opposing Ezurume’s bail application.
She informed the court that the accused (Ezurume) could forge even private and confidential documents like national IDs, bank statements and title deeds.
“If released on bail, he may likely manufacture or forge travel documents which can enable him to flee the country. He can also forge his way out of the jurisdiction of this country,” submitted the police officer.

She contended that such an observation was not merely because the accused was of Nigerian nationality, but because of the extraordinary capabilities he had exhibited in the commission of the offences.

According to Tsabedze, Ezurume had no assets or substantial investment in the country which might compel him to stay if he was released on bail.
“I wish to state that the accused is one person who can undermine the proper functioning of the criminal justice system and more specifically the bail system. He may likely evade trial and may interfere with Crown witnesses if released on bail,” contended Tsabedze.

She argued that it would, therefore, not be in the interest of justice to release the accused on bail.
“The accused is not a law abiding citizen who pays allegiance to authorities and State if he can assist people to obtain official State documents, like national identity documents, which are purely confidential for purpose of fulfilling his selfish illegal activities,” alleged the investigator.

She argued that these were characteristics showing an utmost disregard of the authority, powers and functions of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

capabilities

Tsabedze went on to aver that the capabilities exhibited by the accused in the commission of the offences preferred against him, clearly showed that if released on, bail he would commit similar offences.

“The evidence against the accused is very strong or overwhelming and because of the accused’s ability to forge private and confidential and official documents like lease agreements, bank accounts, bank statements and IDs, there is a great likelihood or possibility that once released on bail, he will continue with his illegal activities and even forge a travel document to facilitate his escape from the Kingdom of Eswatini,” argued the police officer.

In his application for bail, which was filed by his lawyer Linda Dlamini, Ezurume denied to have committed the offence and stated that he would plead not guilty during his trial. He alleged that trouble started for him when he made friends with a countryman, Adams Sylvester, who he alleged was a soccer agent and had some consultancy firm in the country doing a wide range of businesses.

“Sylvester at some point in the year 2018 and early 2019, precise dates, I do not recall, gave me certain documents which he said I must forward to my co-accused, who were also known to him and myself as well. I did not pay much attention to the documents but did as ordered by Sylvester since I surmised that my co-accused have developed interest in the nature of business he was engaged in,” submitted the Nigerian national.

bail

His co-accused, Thandeka Lorraine Nkambule (27) and Thubelihle Petunia Linda, were each admitted to E100 000 bail. Each was ordered to pay E10 000 cash and provide surety for the balance.

According to the charge sheet, the trio misrepresented to Standard Bank that loan application documents which included; proof of income, confirmation letter, bank statement, lease agreement as proof of residence and personal identity number were authentic. Based on the information, the bank is said to have processed Nkambule’s loan application and granted them the loan.

The bail application is pending before Principal Judge Qinisile Mabuza and appearing for the Crown is Sibusiso Gama from the chamber of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The accused is represented by Advocate Mduduzi Mabila, who has been instructed by lawyer Linda Dlamini.