Benefit Fraudster Caught Fleeing Justice

A benefits fraudster, who falsely posed as a student to avoid council tax, was caught trying to flee abroad after jumping bail.

Emmanuel Okonji, 44, was locked-up for a month as he continued fighting the charge, but eventually admitted the crime today after being refused fresh bail.

The Austrian passport-holder, of Waverley Road, Plumstead falsely claimed in 2015 he was a full-time student at EThames Graduate School, Ilford.

He used a forged student certificate as proof, but after a Royal Borough of Greenwich investigation was summonsed to appear at Bexley Magistrates Court on May 8, last year.

Okonji was bailed to appear at Woolwich Crown Court, but failed to show up for his July date and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He was arrested at Glasgow Airport on October 8, this year and in court the next day claimed he lived and worked in Austria and had been returning there when stopped.

Okonji claimed he was not the man who jumped bail last year or made a fraudulent claim.

By now he was living in Northfleet and using his Austrian passport to claim benefits.

Today Okonji's application for bail was refused because he failed to prove he was living and working in Austria.

After hearing he would be remanded in custody for a three-day trial in March, next year Okonji decided to finally admit his guilt.

After chatting with his lawyer for an hour he pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation.

Okonji received four months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay £1,200 costs.

He also received six weeks imprisonment for jumping bail, which he has already served on remand.