Lawyer charged for Embassy money embezzlement

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a Nigerian lawyer who was attached to the Nigeria Embassy in the United States for defrauding the Embassy of millions of Dollars.

Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye is facing questioning for pocketing a $1.6 million U.S. tax refund due to Nigeria’s embassy in Washington, D.C.

A spokesman for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said Wednesday it is holding the lawyer for abuse of trust having allegedly pocketed proceeds from the sale of four embassy properties in Washington D.C.
Femi Babafemi said Ephraim was arrested Saturday at Lagos’ international airport after security officers have sought for his arrest almost a year now.
He said Ugwuonye is facing several charges including the appropriation of $1.6 million which the IRS refunded to the Nigerian embassy after it sold properties worth a total of about $26 million between 2005 and 2007.
Ugwuonye, who is still in custody, was not available for comment.

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