Nigerian-born American, Ogwuche, Accuses Duke Of  N23m Scam  

A Nigerian-born American, Mr. Joseph Ogwuche, has accused  Felix Duke Osagie (aka Felix Duke) of defrauding him of sums of money totaling over N23 million but Duke denied the allegations.

Ogwuche had  accused Duke of scamming him by falsely representing that he had land for sale at Ibeju-Lekki and other places in Lagos State under a scheme that bears the features of Advance Fee Fraud.

In his written petition to the Police at the State CID in Panti dated 5th June, 2024, Ogwuche stated that Duke’s farce was not noticeable at the beginning because it rode on the endorsement of some celebrities.

He claimed  that  sometimes in 2020, Duke established a front for his scheme,, an organisation named and styled the Creative Industry Group (CIG) with himself as the leader and  some celebrities as members of CIG board.

He alleged that Duke established CIG as an umbrella body for creative artistes in Nigeria (actors and musicians), with objective of catering for  its members’ housing needs. 

He said the CIG purportedly acquired a vast expanse of land named and styled the “Creative Industry Group Pacific Estate” from which interested members could buy plots to satisfy their respective housing needs.

He alleged that  instead of registering CIG with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Duke rather registered a company, namely, the Creative Industry Power Limited, with himself having significant control of the company.

Ogwuche also alleged that Duke claimed the representations were to the effect that the land overlooked the Atlantic seaside in Ibeju-Lekki, precisely at Ise-Akodo; “that the land is covered by a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O); that it had been configured into a layout of plots measuring 60 by 120 square meters per plot; and that a plot sold for N3.7 million.”

Thus, Ogwuche said he subscribed for 10 plots of the alleged land at the price of N37 million, which by March 2022 he paid over N22 million.                   He noted that he paused further payment to Duke after his discreet inquiry from the Baale of Ise community in Ibeju-Lekki revealed that Felix Duke was entirely unknown to them, and that no such “Creative Industry Group Pacific Estate” exists in their ancestral land.

Following the revelation, Mr. Ogwuche, said he notified Felix Duke of his plan to visit Nigeria from the United States, requesting Duke to take him to inspect the land upon arrival. But he said when he arrived in June 2022 and called Duke for a meeting, so he could take him to the land for sighting, Duke declined meeting with him all through the period  of one month he spent in Nigeria.

He said Duke gave the excuse of his sister’s demise as the reason why he won’t be able to meet with him.

Later, he continued, Duke started claiming he no longer had any land for sale at Ibeju-Lekki by the seaside, but that he had properties in other parts of the state which could serve as substitute.

Ogwuche added, “Duke started taking us from one site to another claiming he owned the land in the various places to which he took us. However, the last was a certain 19 plots located at Idiagbon Village in Majek, Sangotedo, Ajah from which he said he would sell 2 plots to me for N30 million (N15 million per plot) since, according to him, land is more expensive in Sangotedo than in Ibeju-Lekki. Under this new arrangement, however, Ogwuche will only pay Duke approximately N8 million since he had earlier paid him the sum of N22 million in respect of the failed Ibeju-Lekki land transaction.”                            Ogwuche explained that he afforded Duke the benefit of the doubt and followed him around just to be sure that all possibility of settlement with Duke outside the original 10 plots at Ibeju-Lekki had been exhausted.

“Preliminary assessment of Duke’s purported documents of title in respect of the alleged 19 plots would however hint at either a defective or zero title,” he stated, adding Duke had also forwarded a Deed of Assignment in respect of the land which was not signed by the lawyer who prepared it among other claims.

He said it was against this backdrop that sometime in January, 2023, he, Ogwuche, volunteered to advance Duke N1 million, to enable him register and prove any of his title documents in respect of the 19 plots at Sangotedo and insisted that the parties must enter a formal contract containing an express indemnity clause to the effect that if Duke’s title is ultimately proven to be defective, he shall perforce refund the over N23 Million he collected from Ogwuche.

Following his application, the office of the Surveyor General  disclaimed Duke’s ownership of 19 plots of land with claims that it actually fell within the Sky-View scheme of the Lagos State Government. 

Thus,  Ogwuche said he petitioned the State CID in Panti, Yaba, Lagos, urging the Police to investigate and prosecute  Duke for Advance Fee Fraud. But instead of responding to the petition, Duke swiftly brought a counter-petition alleging attempted murder and assault against his person, he said

However, Duke in his response debunked the claims that he defrauded Mr. Joseph Ogwuche.

 He explained that Ogwuche, who is not a member of CIG, approached him through a member to purchase 10 plots of land from ongoing sales in their CIG Estate.

According to him, there was a mix-up with the company through which Ogwuche intended to use in making the purchase, which was also communicated to him. As a result, Duke said he offered him alternative land at Sangotedo at N15 million per plot to compensate him for the money he had paid.

“Ogwuche demanded two plots which is N30 million. Since he had already paid N22 million, he was to balance up N8 million. Instead of him to complete the payment, he begged me to pay Nimillion and pay the balance later, against my desire that he pay once.

“But his lawyer begged that the balance should be paid in three instalments,” Duke explained, adding that Ogwuche’s lawyer drafted a contract of sale, which they were reluctant to sign. He stated that the matter is before the police, who have discovered that he defrauded no one.

“But his lawyer begged that the balance should be paid in three instalments,” Duke explained, adding that Ogwuche’s lawyer drafted a contract of sale, which they were reluctant to sign. He stated that the matter is before the police, who have discovered that he defrauded no one.

“The police made their investigations and found out I didn’t defraud anybody. When Ogwuche found out that the police didn’t favour him, he went to the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja.

“The department came to Lagos and took the file because Alagbon police station wanted to take the case to court,” he said, adding that he had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, demanding the prosecution of Ogwuche for attempting to murder him over the matter.f.