Dunkwu, Nigerian lawyer, arrested in court for fraud, selling another’s property

A female lawyer, Barrister Kenechi Dunkwu, identified on Facebook as “Rosy Nkem (Kenechi Rosy Dunkwu Esq.)“, and one Mr. Chine Onyekwuluje have been arrested at the premises of the State High Court located at Enugu Road, Onitsha in Anambra State, for fraud, stealing and selling another man’s property

Barrister Dunkwu and Mr. Onyekwuluje were arrested on 10th May 2024, after months of intense tracking and manhunt.

Surprisingly, during her arrest, she had in her bag a copy of court processes of a fundamental human rights suit she has filed in a court since without serving any party.

It was also discovered that she has contracted new agents to resell the same property to another victim.

Her bubble busted when Remi O. Nweze. Esq. of Ibegbu & Ibegbu Legal Practitioners, on 29th January, 2024, approached the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force C.I.D. in Abuja, with a petition.

The petition was entitled “Petition against one Barrister Kenechi Dunkwu and Mr. Chine Onyekwuluje for conspiracy to commit fraud, criminal misrepresentation, conversion of our clients money“.

The petition was filed against the mother of five by Nweze on behalf of one Chief Silas Okechukwu Okonkwo.

What are the contents of the petition?

While addressing the Deputy Inspector General of Police over the stolen/sold property, Barrister Nweze stated:

“It is our instruction that sometime in 2022, a property situate and being at No. 23 New Market Road, Onitsha was brought to the attention of our client as being put up for sale by one Patrick Ezenwoye.

“Our client indicated interest and was directed to Ms. Kenechi Dunkwu Esq. a Legal Practitioner with her office at No. 23 New Market Road, Onitsha.

“Upon meeting Ms. Kenechi Dunkwu, Esq., she informed our client that said property belongs to Mr. Chike Onyekwuluje and that the title document is a Building Certificate of Occupancy dated the 26th day of August, 2021 and Registered as No. 16 at page 16 in Volume 373 of the Register of Deeds kept at Awka.

“Our client enquired if there is a pending/past litigation over the property but Ms. Kenechi Dunkwu, Esq. assured our client that there’s nothing of such.

“Our client conducted a search over the said property and found same as was related to him by Ms. Kenechi Dunkwu, Esq.”

How much did Okonkwo pay for the property?

After conducting a search over the said property, Okonkwo paid a whopping two hundred and twenty million Naira.

The petition continues:

“It was upon thus assertion that he proceeded to pay the sum of N220,000,000 (Two Hundred and Twenty Million Naira) only into the personal account of Ms. Kenechi Dunkwu Esq., upon her assurances as she also acted as our client’s Solicitor in respect of the said transaction.

“Our client paid the total sum of N220,000,000 (Two Hundred and Twenty Million Naira) only into the personal account of Ms. Kenechi Dunkwu Esq. being money received and acknowledged by her for the sale of the property, lying being and situate at No. 23A New Market Road, Onitsha.”

The shocker!

“After our client was put into possession, the tenants in the said property brought to our client’s notice a document served on them by one E.C. Obodoeze dated the 3rd day of November 2022, titled CAVEAT EMPTOR and also NOTICE TO QUIT dated 26th July 2023 with Suit No. MO/6970/2023 issued by one Ijegalu Chinedu Stephen on behalf of the Animashaun Family.

“Shocked and embarrassed, our client further investigation revealed that Animashaun family are the original owners of the freehold title over the property and has purportedly leased the property for 60 years to G.B. Onyekwuluje which the said lease was even the subject of litigation in 5C/72/2006 Onyekwuluje & Anor Vs. Animashaun & Anor.

“Further enquiries by our client disclosed that the Deed of lease made on the 29th day of January 1975 was registered as No. 29, page 29 in Vol. 766.

“This discovery confirmed that indeed our client has been scammed of his hard-earned money as the lease has barely 8 years to expire.

“Our client immediately wrote to Ms. Kenechi Dunkwu, Esq. asking for the refund of his money but has received no answer.

“Information getting to our client suggest that the Ms. Kenechi Dunkwu Esq. has no intention to refund as it was a conspiracy planned with her partner, Mr. Chike Onyekwuluje, who is presently at large.”

Nweze, therefore, prayed the Deputy Inspector General of Police to use his good office to investigate and bring the culprits to justice.

See attached below a copy of the letter:

Dunkwu and Onyekwuluje invited by Police

Consequently, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF – NCCC) invited Barrister Dunkwu and Mr. Onyekwuluje for an interview.

The police invitation letter was referenced CB:3383/X/NPF-NCCC/FHQ/ABJ/L-JO/VOL.4/134 and dated 20th February 2024.

A copy of the letter addressed to Onyekwuluje obtained by Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reads:

“The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center is investigating a case of cybercrime and fraud in which your name featured prominently. 

“You are hereby requested to report to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC), Plot 625 Mission Road, Diplomatic Drive, Abuja on the 5th March, 2024 at 1000hrs for an interview with the Director, NPF-NCCC through the Assistant Director, Legal with GSM No. 08037506833.  

“While anticipating your compliance, accept the esteemed regards of the Inspector-General of Police, please.”

The letter was signed by the NPF-NCCC Director, Commissioner of Police Oche Ifeanyi Henry.

Find also attached below a copy of the letter:  

Dunkwu and Onyekwuluje finally arrested

Upon the Invitation, however, Dunkwu and Onyekwuluje went underground and repeatedly evaded arrest.

Both, however, ran out of luck as the long arm of the law caught up with them on Friday, May 10.

Both suspects are presently cooling off at an undisclosed police facility in Abuja, while awaiting arraignment.

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