| 2024/05/23 |
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Media Statement PRETORIA – A 53-year-old, Charles Ugochukwu Onuaha appeared before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday, 23 May 2024 following his arrest on Friday, 26 April 2024 in KwaZulu-Natal after the City of Tshwane task team conducted a search and seizure operation at the accused’s place of residence in Durban where electronic items were seized. The arrest came after the City of Tshwane Task Team investigated allegations of fraud, theft and money laundering committed by Onuaha where money that was intended to be paid to a City of Tshwane service provider was wrongfully paid into Onuaha’s First National Bank (FNB) account. It is alleged that the credentials of one of the City’s officials were used to alter the banking details of the service provider on the SAP system and service provider’s bank account number which were replaced with the accused’s bank account before the payment was effected. The City Of Tshwane paid R12 127 644,51 into the accused’s account and only became aware of the erroneous payment upon inquiry by the service provider. The City of Tshwane immediately contacted FNB bank and requested them to freeze the deposit. The bank froze R9 630 735,41 only and the money was later paid back into City’s account. During the investigation, the team discovered a copy of a death certificate belonging to the accused. The said death certificate had been submitted to the bank. Further investigation was conducted with the Department of Home Affairs to authenticate the death certificate. It was discovered that the certificate was fraudulent. It was also discovered that R5 Million was deposited into the accused’s account shortly after City of Tshwane made the payment. The accused has since been on the run when information was received on his whereabouts. The team members applied for search and seizure warrant was applied for and executed wherein the accused was arrested in KwaZulu-Natal . The accused made his first appearance at the Pinetown Magistrates ‘Court on 29 April 2024 and the matter was postponed to 06 May 2024 for further investigation. He then appeared again in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes court. The matter was postponed for 24 June 2024 for bail application and an Igbo interpreter. Ends
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