Court Jails Man Eight Years for Impersonation in Lagos

Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday,  April 22, 2025, convicted and sentenced one Tobor Efeturi Godspower to eight years imprisonment for impersonation.

 

Godspower was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a two-count charge bordering on fraudulent impersonation and possession of fraudulent documents.

 

One of the counts reads; “That you, Tobor Efeturi Godspower, on or about the 24th day of October, 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one 'Stephen Townsend', purporting to be a military man stationed in Syria, with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.

 

The second count reads: “That you, Tobor Efeturi  Godspower, on or about the 24th day of October, 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently held yourself out as the manager of crypto account bearing the name 'Rosemarie Altez', with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.”

 

He pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

 

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, S.I.Suleiman, tendered the defendant’s statements dated October 28 and 30, 2024 and November 1, 4 and 6, 2024; a Toshiba laptop computer; iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 11 Pro Max; a casio wristwatch; fraudulent documents printed from his device as well as the sum of $300 restitution made by the defendant. 

 

Suleiman, therefore, urged the court to convict him as charged and sentence him accordingly. 

 

He also prayed that the exhibits recovered from the defendant be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. 

 

Justice Aluko found the defendant guilty of the offences and sentenced him to four years imprisonment on each of the two counts. 

 

The Judge also gave him an option of fine of N600,000( Six Hundred Thousand Naira only) on each of the counts. 

 

The exhibits were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 

The convict bagged his imprisonment when he was arrested  for fraudulently impersonating one 'Stephen Townsend', purporting to be a military man stationed in Syria and defrauded innocent victims in the process.

Source: EFCC 

Court Jails 23 Internet Fraudsters in Benin City

Justices  W.l. Aziegbemhin and A.N. Erhabor of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City between April 11 and 17  convicted and sentenced 23 internet fraudsters to various jail terms

The convicts are: Uzorchukwu Peace Udoka, Erubasa Oghenetega, David Ogwunu, Jude Okólie, Lucky Ehizojie, Chineye Isioma Christian, Obadiunor Josoph Ikechukwu, Ugochukwu Adingwu, Ifeanyi Okechukwu, Patrick Chinedu Chukwujekwe, Ugboh Chibuzor, Monday Shedrack, Udochukwu Onuka, Uzodion Luke and Ehighola Emmanuel Akhere.

Others are Godstime Osunde Oskpolor, Promise Onyugboh, Onuka Patrick, Chinonso Peter Iwuchukwu, Ajayi Aisosa, Aiwansoba Prince, Goddey Jeremiah and Ojimah John Oseni

They were prosecuted on  one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission .

The charge against Chinonso Peter Iwuchukwu reads: "That you Chinonso Peter Iwuchukwu (m) on or about the 12th of April, 2025 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession, documents which you knew or ought to have known contained false pretence, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

All the defendants pleaded “guilty” to their charges when they were read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel, F.A Jirbo, I.M Elodi, K Y. Bello, to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly while counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions.

Justice Erhabor convicted and sentenced Chinonso Peter Iwuchukwu, Jude Okolie, Obadiunor Josoph Ikechukwu, Ugochukwu Adingwu, Ifeanyi Okechukwu, Patrick Chinedu Chukwujekwe, Ugboh Chibuzor, Monday Shedrack, Udochukwu Onuka, Ehighola Emmanuel Akhere, Godstime Osunde Oskpolor, Promise Onyugboh, Onuka Patrick, Aiwansoba Prince, Goddey Jeremiah, Ojimah John Oseni to two years imprisonment each or to pay N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine respectively, while the duo Chineye Isioma Christian and Uzodion Luke were sentenced to Three Years Imprisonmen each or to pay N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine respectively

Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin convicted and sentenced Uzorchukwu Peace Udoka, Erubasa Oghenetega, Ajayi Aisosa to two years imprisonment, each or to pay N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine respectively. The duo of David Ogwunu, Lucky Ehizojie were convicted and sentenced to Three Years Imprisonment each or to pay N500, 000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) fine respectively

In addition to their sentences, all the convicts forfeited their phones,

computers and money found in their respective bank accounts to the Federal Government of Nigeria,  being proceeds of crime.  They also undertook in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.

The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began with their arrest in a sting operation by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC following intelligence that linked them to fraudulent internet activities.

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arrests 47 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Benin City

Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 arrested 47 suspected internet fraudsters at different locations in Benin City, Edo State.

The suspects were arrested following credible intelligence that linked them to fraudulent internet activities.

Items recovered from them at the point of arrest included five exotic cars, smartphones and laptop computers.

They would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arrests 37 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ilorin

Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 arrested15 suspected internet fraudsters in Tanke Oke-Odo area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Officers of the Directorate had earlier on Friday, March 22, 2025 arrested 22 suspected internet fraudsters in Tanke, Alao Farm Estate, Yidi Road, and Irewolede areas of Ilorin.

The arrest of the suspects followed credible intelligence that linked them to fraudulent internet activities. Items recovered from them at the point of arrest included eight luxury cars, smartphones and high-end laptop computers.  

Both arrests brought to 37, the number of suspected internet fraudsters, rounded up in Ilorin by the anti-graft in a space of one week.

The suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Source: EFCC 

BDC Operators Bag Sentences in Kwara

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State has sentenced one Musa Buba to 300 (Three Hundred) hours of community service at the rate of five hours of work per day for operating bureau de change without a valid licence. The sentence is without an option of a fine.

Similarly, he sentenced one Akinwale Olamilekan from Owena Ijesha in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State to 300 (Three Hundred) hours of community service, also at the rate of five hours of work daily for commiting internet fraud. The sentence is without an option of a fine.

Both convicts were arraigned on March 20, 2025 by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on separate one-count charge, bordering on illegal operation of BDC services and fraudulent impersonation, respectively.

The charge against Buba reads: "That you, Musa Buba, sometime in July 2024 at Chikanda Market, Yashikira District, Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did carry on the business of another financial institution, to wit: Bureau de Change Business, without a valid license issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, contrary to Section 57 (1) & (2) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020, and punishable under Section 57(5)(b) of the same Act."

The charge against Olamilekan reads: "That you, Akinwale Olamilekan (Alias: Mary Williams), sometime in November 2024, within the judicial division of the Federal High Court, did fraudulently impersonate one Mary Williams via your iMessage account to obtain the sum of $950 (Nine Hundred and Fifty US Dollars) from one Mark Durham, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 22 (2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act and punishable under Section 22 (2)(b)(iv) of the same Act."

They pleaded “guilty” to their respective charge.

Convinced by the facts of the case and the uncontroverted evidence, presented by prosecution counsel, Andrew Akoja, Justice Awogboro convicted and sentenced them accordingly.

In addition to his sentence, Buba forfeited to the federal government the sum of 409,500 CFA and N1,973,200 (One Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Three Thousand, Two Hundred Naira Only), recovered from him at the point of arrest, while Akinwale restituted his victim with the sum of $450 (Four Hundred and Fifty US Dollars), being proceeds of his crime. He also forfeited iPhone 12 Pro Max, being the instrument of his crime to the federal government.

Source: EFCC 

29 Internet Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms in Benin City

Justices A.N. Erhabor and W. I. Aziegbemhin of Edo State High Courts, sitting in Benin City have convicted and sentenced 29 internet fraudsters to various jail terms.

The convicts are: Edeyibo Rukewe Hope, Igbafe David, Emakhu Bonfrey, Genesis Ndujifor, Okolosie Godstime, Chukwu David, Ebuka Emmanuel, Akhere Akahomhen, Odiniru Emeka Vet, Obiora Mike Kelvin, Stephen Eghosa, Osagioduwa Samuel Aivihenyor, Lucky Ekhator, Ekechukwu Chima Stanley, Lucky Moses, David Odiniru, Christopher Alex, Orovirie Sunny, Abraham Ifeanyi and Aisosa Vincent.

Others are: Agbede Shola Harrison, Endurance Ebalukpe, Igbiniken Osarvmwense, Okonoboh Senator Odiegie, Joseph Imhangbegbe, Orion Aigbona, Godstime Adebor, Ambrose Otsemeuno and Mattew Obayuywana

They were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on separate one-count charge, bordering on obtaining by false pretence, advance fee fraud, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents.

The charge against Hope reads: "That you Edeyibo Rukewe Hope (m) on or about the 27th of February, 2025 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession, documents which you knew or ought to have known contained false pretence, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

All the defendants pleaded “guilty” to their charges when they were read to them, prompting prosecution counsel, F.A Jirbo, K Y. Bello, Isa K. Agwai, Faisal Ibrahim, Al-Amin Ibrahim Abdul, Bala-Ribah and Salihu Ahmed to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions.

Justice Erhabor convicted and sentenced Hope, David, Bonfrey, David, Emmanuel, Akahomhen, Sunny, Ifeanyi, Vincent, Otsemeuno, Ebalukpe, Harrison, Osarvmwense, Odiegie, Imhangbegbe, Aigbona, Adebor and Obayuywana to two years imprisonment each or to pay N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine respectively,

Justice Aziegbemhin convicted and sentenced Ndujifor and Godstime to two years imprisonment each or to pay N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine, respectively. The judge slammed Kelvin, Eghosa, Aivihenyor, Ekhator, Stanley, Moses, Osarvmwense, Vet and Alex to two years imprisonment, each or to pay N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) fine respectively,

The judge ordered the forfeiture of a Red Color Mercedes Benz C300 with Registration number BEN258CM recovered from Odiniru Emeka Vet being proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In addition to their sentences, all the convicts forfeited all items recovered from them to the federal government, including phones, computers, money and cars and undertook in writing to be of good behaviour going forward.

The convicts’ journey to the correctional centre began with their arrest in a sting operation by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC following credible intelligence that linked them to fraudulent internet activities.

Source: EFCC 

Alleged 33.8bn Fraud: Mamman’s Case for Trial within Trial

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 adjourned the trial of  former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman to April 7,10, 14 and May 2, 2025 for trial within trial.

The court while delivering ruling on the objection by defence counsel, Femi Atte, SAN alleging that the confessional statement made by Mamman at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on February 20, 2024 was not voluntarily made, held that the issue of involuntary statement and other grounds of objections raised by the defence counsel can only be resolved by conducting a trial within trial to ascertain their veracity.

“Consequently I thereby order for trial within trial to determine the voluntariness or otherwise of this case,” he said.

Mamman is being prosecuted by the EFCC in relation to the Mambilla Power Project on a 12-count charge, bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73 (Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy-three Kobo).

Abubakar, an investigator with the EFCC and the Seventeenth Prosecution Witness, PW17, while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN,  disclosed that sometime in 2023, his team received intelligence that money meant for Mambilla Power Project was being diverted to private use for which they swung into action.

“A lot of investigation activities were carried out with commercial banks, Central Bank of Nigeria and Corporate Affairs Commission, which revealed that there were more than 10 companies’ accounts used that were linked with bureau de change operators like Breathable Investment, Fullest Utility Concepts, Golden Bond Nigeria Ltd, among others”

 “While analyzing the account statements, it was revealed that over N26 billion had left the Ministry of Power through bureau de change operators’ accounts on the instructions of the defendant and his cohorts. Upon the findings,  we proceeded to invite the defendant. He reported and volunteered his statements in the presence of his lawyer of choice before me, alongside my team members who took his statements,” he said.

He confirmed that all the statements of the defendant were taken voluntarily in the presence of his counsel on February 20, May 10, 11, 12, 15, 17 and August 3 and 9, 2024.

The prosecution counsel tendered the statement of the defendant in evidence but was opposed by the defence counsel, alleging that the statement of the defendant on February 20, 2024 was not voluntarily made as the defendant,  he said, was threatened and forced to write his statement against his will.

Earlier in the proceedings, the 15th Prosecution Witness, PW15, Okoafor Chinyere Nnenna, a staffer of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and Deputy Manager, Domestic Payment, in charge of managing government accounts,  in her testimony,  disclosed that her unit got a letter from EFCC to furnish it with information on the account of Ministry of Power  and the response, she said,  was submitted to the Commission on April 3, 2024,duly signed by her director. 

“We generated the report from our system with the cover letter of CBN and attached letter of account statements which we submitted to them. All payments come with a physical mandate and follow the same process,” she said.

The16th Prosecution Witness, PW16, Veronica Asmau Sampam, a First Bank compliance coordinator for the North, also disclosed that the bank received a letter from the EFCC in October 2024 informing them of investigation activities regarding the account of Idris Musbahu.   She said the bank furnished the Commission with the statements of account, account opening information and other information as generated from its data.

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arraigns Works Ministry's Director, Surveyor for N1.9bn Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, arraigned a former Deputy Director , Highways,   Federal Ministry of Works and Housing,  Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, alongside a surveyor, Sulaiman Abdulkadir Muhammed of the Department of Highways and Planning before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT,  High Court, Apo, Abuja.

They were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds amounting to N1,936,961,649.00 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Six Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-Nine Naira ). The alleged offence is contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. The funds were reportedly earmarked for the acquisition of titles for  federal roads nationwide between March 4, 2019, and July 17, 2020, but were allegedly converted to their personal use.

One of the counts in the charge reads: “That you, Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, whilst serving as Deputy Director Highways, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and Project Coordinator for the acquisition of titles for Federal Roads, and Suleiman Abdulkadir Muhammed, whilst serving as Surveyor of the Department of Highways and Planning, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, between March 4, 2019, and October 21, 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, used your office to confer corrupt advantage upon yourselves by putting to your own use the sum of Eight Hundred and Seven Million, Fifty-Three Thousand Naira (N807,053,000.00) despite being funds budgeted for the acquisition of titles for Federal Roads Nationwide, thereby committing an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

Following their plea, the prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed, SAN, requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendants in the Correctional Centre.  However, counsel to the first and second defendants, J.K. Kolawole and A.S.U. Garba, applied for a short adjournment to enable them to file for bail applications and requested that the defendants be remanded in the EFCC’s custody.

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter till April 3, 2025  for the hearing of the bail application and remanded the two defendants at Kuje Correctional Centre. 

In a related development, the EFCC also arraigned the first defendant, Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, on a separate three-count charge before the same Judge for allegedly diverting public funds amounting to Four Hundred and Thirty-Nine Million, Five Hundred and Two Thousand, Two Hundred Naira (N439,502,200.00) to personal use.

One of the charges reads: “That you, Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, whilst serving as Deputy Director Highways, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and Project Coordinator for the acquisition of titles for Federal Roads, and in such capacity entrusted with public funds, between March 27, 2019, and December 17, 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, transferred the cumulative sum of Three Hundred and One Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Four Thousand, Two Hundred Naira (N301,994,200.00) to Chile Ushahemba (a staff of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing) and received in cash the sum of Nineteen Million, One Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira (N19,140,000.00), which you converted to your own use, thereby committing a criminal breach of trust contrary to and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Law.”

The defendant also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter to the same date, April 3, 2025 for the hearing of the bail application.

Source: EFCC 

Court Orders Oba Otudeko to Appear for Arraignment for Alleged N12.3bn Fraud

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday, March 17, 2025, ordered  Chairman of Honeywell Group,   Oba Otudeko to appear in court for his arraignment over an alleged N12.3bn fraud brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC.

Otudeko was to be arraigned alongside a former Managing Director of First Bank Plc, Olabisi Onasanya; a former board member of Honeywell, Soji Akintayo and a firm, Anchorage Leisure Limited, on a 13-count charge, bordering on obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N12.3 billion.

The defendants, however, are seeking to evade their arraignment with preliminary objections, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try them.

Justice Aneke had, at the sitting on February 13, 2025, adjourned till Monday ( March 17, 2025) for ruling on the application filed by Otudeko, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the multiple fraud charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision, EFCC.

At Monday’s  sitting, counsel to Otudeko, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, informed the court that counsel from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation , AGF, on March 12, 2025, convened a meeting, which was also attended by the nominal complainant.

He also told the court that substantial progress was made regarding the matter during the meeting.

Otudeko’s counsel further stated that it was agreed by all that no party should file further processes in this matter after Monday’s  ruling by the court.

“The next date for the meeting in the office of the AGF is slated for April 9, 2025.  Pursuant to this development, we'll be asking for a date after April 9, depending on the outcome the meeting.”

Responding, counsel to the EFCC, Bilkisu Buhari, confirmed the development.  Buhari, however, prayed the court to adjourn the matter for an arraignment or a report of settlement.

In his ruling on the application filed by Otudeko, Justice Aneke  held that the arraignment of the defendants should come before the hearing of all the pending  preliminary objections.

Consequently, the judge adjourned till May 8, 2025 for the report of settlement by the parties.

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arraigns Woman for Alleged N6.8m Romance Scam in Maiduguri

The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC,  on Monday, March 17, 2025 arraigned one Catherine Ijeoma Ugwu before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court Maiduguri.

The defendant was arraigned on a four -count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, criminal misappropriation and cheating by impersonation to the tune of N6, 815,300.00 (Six Million Eight Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Three Hundred Naira only).

Count one reads: “That you Catherine Ijeoma Ugwu between the period of June, 2023 to August, 2024 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the aggregate sum of N6, 710,300.00 (Six Million Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Three Hundred Naira) from Emmanuel Ani into your bank account: 1778806195 domiciled with Access Bank plc. under  the pretence that same is meant for the upkeep of his purported fiancee, one Miss Chinansa, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud related Offences Act, 2006.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to her.

Counsel to the prosecution S.O Saka and Faruku Muhammad prayed the court for a trial date and  for the remand  of the defendant in a  Correctional Centre.

Justice Kumaliya thereafter adjourned  the matter till April 8, 2025 for  commencement of trial and remanded the defendant in a Correctional Centre.

Ugwu’s journey to the Correctional Centre started when she obtained the sum of N6.8million by impersonating and pretending to be the  fiancée of the petitioner.  When contacted by the petitioner,  the defendant can neither account for or return the money she collected.

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arrests 21 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Bauchi

Operatives of the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday,  March 15, 2025 arrested 21 suspected internet fraudsters in Bauchi, Bauchi State.

The suspects were arrested based on credible intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud at Kaure New  Government Reservation Area,  GRA,   Bauchi and Awala,  Maiduguri road,  Bauchi state.

Items recovered from them at the point of arrest include one BMW and Toyota Camry cars,  three play station 5, 30 expensive phones, one flat screen television set,  six Point of Sale,  POS, machines,   four ipads,   and  five laptops.

The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded..

Source: EFCC 

Alleged $968,000 Fraud: How Fake US Engineer Duped Me-Witness

Eseoghene

The trial of Wawe Eseoghene Nelson, a.k.a James Andrew Shmit and Philip Bradley before Justice Aliyu Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja commenced on Thursday, March 14, 2025 with the presentation of the First Prosecution Witness, PW1, Kathleen Sharp by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Nelson, arraigned on February 11, 2025 is facing prosecution by the EFCC on 11 count-charges bordering on advance fee fraud, impersonation, conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence to the tune of $968,000 (Nine Hundred and Sixty-eight Thousand Dollars), allegedly obtained from two US victims, Sharp and Holly Stamm.

Count one of his charge reads: “That you, Wawe Esoghene Nelson (a.k.a James Andrew Smith) sometime in 2023 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of One Hundred and Fifty-Five Thousand Dollars ($155,000) from one Kathleen Sharp, living in the United States of America with Telephone Number +13025983826 through Chase Bank with account name Pearl and Allison Llc, account number 952177670, Routing 021000021, account address 35 Knollwood Dr Aptos CA 95003 with bank address at 1990 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010 under the false pretence that you are James Andrew Smith, a Petroleum Engineer from United States of America that is into engineering project, relating to petroleum project which pretence you knew was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

Count 11 reads: “That you Wawe Esoghene Nelson (a.k.a Philip Bradley) sometime in 2022 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Dollars ($120,000.00) from one Holly Stamm, a Citizen of United States of America with email address stammus2012@gmail.com through Bitcoin and under the false pretence that you are James Andrew Shmit a Petroleum Engineer from United States of America that is into engineering project relating to petroleum exploration and that the said sum will be used to secure a petroleum project which pretence you knew was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a)of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him, prompting his trial.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Maryam Aminu Ahmed, the witness narrated how the defendant lured her via the social media into sending him money in the guise of financing a project and would repay her when the project yielded dividends upon completion.

“I was contacted by the Commission that they discovered that I was defrauded by one James Andrew Shmit via social media platform. We communicated over social media where he presented himself as an engineer working at BP Oil in the Gulf of Mexico. He started by asking for funds because he did not have access to his personal funds and the credit situation in connection with the project required a large amount of funds with the promise that it will be returned and he will avail the funds to me. The total funds are $183,000 (One Hundred and Eighty-three Thousand Dollars) through three instalments, one by wired certificate cheque, two instalments by wired transfer. The first one was for $45,500, (Forty-five Thousand Dollars), the second one was $131,000 (One Hundred and Thirty-one Dollars) and the third was $7000 (Seven Thousand Dollars) I wired. I have not been paid my money. After the third instalment, he pushed me to pay another $10,000 (Ten Thousand Dollars), but I did not pay. There was a picture on his profile, he has brown hair and white. I will like the refund of the investment and funds and he should be persecuted for his actions,” she said.

Justice Halilu adjourned to April 16, 2025 for cross examination of the witness.

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arrests 30 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Asaba, Delta State

Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday March 14, 2025 arrested 30 suspected internet fraudsters in Asaba, Delta State.

The suspects were arrested based on credible intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud.

Items recovered from them at the point of arrest include five exotic cars and phones

The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arraigns Husband, Wife for Allegedly Impersonating Katsina State First Lady for N197million Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  has arraigned a husband and wife, Baba Sule Abubakar Sadiq and Hafsat Kabir Lawal, alongside two others, Abdullahi Bala and Ladani Akindele, before Justice Amina Bello of the Kaduna State High Court for obtaining money by false pretense, money laundering and stealing to the tune of N197,750,000 (One Hundred and Ninety Seven Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira.

They were arraigned on six-count charges on Monday,  March 10, 2025.

Specifically, the defendants allegedly colluded among themselves and defrauded their victims  through different guises,  including impersonating the wife of the Governor of Katsina State, Fatima Dikko Radda.

The defendants were initially arrested by officers of the Department of State Services, DSS and subsequently transferred to the EFCC when it was clear that their offences were financial crimes in nature.

One of the charges reads “That you Hafsat Kabir Lawal, Babasule Abubakar Sadiq, Abdullahi Bala, Ladani Akindele Ayodele sometimes in December 2024 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this honorable court with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of N89,000,000.00 Eighty Nine Million Naira Only from Aminu Usman which money you caused to be paid in to the Taj Bank plc account number 0009914725 belonging to Abdullahi Bala under the false pretense that you had the sum of $53,300 Fifty three thousand Three Hundred United State Dollars to exchange for the Naira equivalent which pretense you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) of the advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act. 2006 punishment under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Bright C Ogbonna prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in a  Correctional Facility.

Counsel to the 1st and 2nd  defendants,  M.S Katu, SAN, counsel to the 3rd defendant,  ⁠Jazuli Mustapha and counsel to the 4th defendant,  Paul A. Okachi  informed the court that they had filed and served their various applications for the bail  of their clients and that they were ready to proceed.

Ogbonna vehemently opposed the applications on the grounds that they were not ripe for hearing. In response,  all the defense counsel prayed the court to allow for an oral application for bail.

After listening to the submissions and arguments made by both parties, Justice Bello agreed with the prosecution and consequently remanded the defendants in a  Correctional Facility and adjourned the matter till March 17, 2025 for hearing of bail applications.

Investigations showed that Hafsat contacted  the petitioners as one of the wives of the current governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Radda. Using that guise, she allegedly obtained the sum of N89,000,000 and another N108,000,000 from a petitioner claiming to have $118,300 (One Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Three Hundred Dollars) to sell to them.

Further investigations showed that Hafsat’s husband, Sadiq( the second defendant) provided his wife with two sim cards and registered the same with the True Caller as Fatima Dikko Radda. He then allegedly contacted the fourth defendant, Ladani Akindele who was his former colleague at a new generation bank,  and asked him to provide him with the contact number of the Chairman of Unity Bank, Hafiz Bashir through whom he got the contact number of the petitioner who is a  bureau de change operator.

Hafsat thereafter contacted the petitioner,  Aminu Usman and collected a total sum  of N197,750,000 from him, claiming that she had dollar equivalent of the money  ($118,300) to offer him.

The money was said to have been deposited into the bank account of the 3rd defendant, Abdullahi Bala,  provided by the first defendant,  and the money was allegedly distributed among the four defendants and laundered through various means.

Source: EFCC 

Alleged N5.8Billion Fraud: How Former Kwara Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed Diverted UBEC’s Funds

The trial of the immediate past Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu, over alleged misappropriation of N5.78 billion public funds continued on Wednesday, March 11, 2024, before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.

At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the EFCC presented its second witness, PW 2, Dr. Musa Oladimeji Dasuki, a retired Permanent Secretary at the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), who served between 2011 and 2020.

Led in evidence by EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, Dasuki testified that the Kwara State Government, under the leadership of the first defendant as governor and the second defendant as finance commissioner, requested UBEC funds for the years 2013 and 2014 to pay teachers' salaries.

According to Dasuki: "The then Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, who is the second defendant in this case, initially made an oral request for the release of the 2013 UBEC Matching Grant to pay teachers' salaries. However, we insisted that such a request must be made in writing. Subsequently, the commissioner sent a letter conveying His Excellency’s approval for the release of the funds. As a result, the money was deposited into the state government's account domiciled with Skye Bank Plc."

Dasuki further explained that SUBEB initially opposed the request because they knew it would affect ongoing projects. However, they eventually approved the release after receiving assurances from Banu that the funds would be repaid once the state received its allocation from Abuja.

"A letter was written to that effect from the office of the Commissioner for Finance, signed on his behalf, and the money was released immediately upon receiving the letter," he said.

Despite the assurances, Dasuki stated that the money was never repaid.

"According to the 2013 action plan submitted to UBEC, the funds were intended for the construction of 40 standard classroom blocks with offices, 40 VIP toilets, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centers in primary and junior secondary schools across the 16 Local Government Areas of Kwara State. However, many of these projects could not be executed because the funds had been diverted," he said.

He further testified that many contractors protested due to non-payment for completed projects.

During cross-examination by Jimoh Mumini, SAN, counsel to the first defendant, Dasuki confirmed that neither the former governor nor the finance commissioner was a member of SUBEB.

Justice Abdulghafar adjourned the matter till Thursday, March 13, 2025

Source: EFCC 

Courts Jail 32 Internet Fraudsters in Ibadan

Justices Ladiran Akintola, O.S. Adeyemi, K.B. Olawoyin, G.A. Sunmonu of the Oyo State High Court and Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan. Oyo State, have convicted and sentenced thirty-two persons to prison for fraud.  

They were prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on separate one-count charges bordering on impersonation, internet-related offences.

The convicts are: Kolade Olayinka Akinlosotu, Adetoro Kolawole Jelili, Olatunji Opeyemi Matthew, Ehifowoju Kehinde Emmanuel, Basit Akorede Mustapha, Banjoko Olamide Oriyomi, Badmus Quazeem Damilola, Ikumapayi Olalekan Babajide, Muili Olamilekan Sodiq, Odususi Yemi Michael, Ashiru Adebola Ibrahim, Ayomide Olamide Ogidan, Fatusin Michael Abayomi, Omotosho Oluwapelumi James, Adewale Ibikunle Abdullahi, Ismail Ibrahim Friday, Adedara Ademola Ayobami and Ajayi Elijah Oladimeji.

Others are: Oladele Salam, Olasunkanmi Kadril Yakub, Ayomide Hassan Omolade, Ojo Oluwanifemi Emmanuel, Temitope Gbenga Agbaminoja, Oyewale Timileyin Ayodeji, Olajide Lekan Peter, Obaoye Samuel Olaoluwa, Ajayi Okiki Michael, Mustapha Quadri Ayinde, Oluwatimilehin Noah Ojo, Oluwajana Segun Joseph, Oluwashina Gbenga Adeniyi and Kolawole Ojukotimi Adebesin.

The charge against Akinlosotu reads: “That you, Kolade Olayinka Akinlosotu sometime in May, 2023 at Ibadan, Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud one Orlando Mejia, did falsely represent yourself as one Amanda Smith, a woman from Texas, United States of America through Facebook with account name Amanda Smith, thereby committed an offence of impersonation, contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

They all pleaded “guilty” when the charges were read to them, upon which prosecution counsel, Modupe Akinkoye, Oluwatoyin Owodunni, Chidi Okoli, Sanusi Galadanchi, Lanre Suleiman, Mabas Mabur, Shamsuddeen Bashir, David Olubode and A.M. Aliyu prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Consequently, Justice Olawoyin convicted and sentenced Peter to two years imprisonment or to pay N500, 000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) fine, and Ayodeji to one year imprisonment or to pay N250, 000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) fine, while Justice Maha convicted and sentenced Abayomi to one year imprisonment or to pay N250, 000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) fine.

Justice Adeyemi on her part, convicted and sentenced Oriyomi and Ibrahim to one year imprisonment each without option of fine. Ayobami, Abdullahi and Ayinde bagged six months community service each, without an option of fine. She convicted and sentenced Ojo, Mustapha and Adebesin to three months community service each without option of fine.

Justice Akintola convicted and slammed Oladimeji, Joseph and Olaoluwa with one year jail term each or to pay a fine of N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira, N40, 000.00 (Forty Thousand Naira) and N150, 000. 00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) respectively.

He slammed Adeniyi with six months jail term or to pay N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) fine, while Jelili bagged six months community service or to pay N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) fine. Michael and Olamide got three months jail term each or to pay N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) fine, each.

Also convicted and sentenced by Justice Akintola were Kehinde Emmanuel, Babajide, Sodiq, James, Salam, Yakub, Omolade, Oluwanifemi Emmanuel, Agbaminoja, Okiki Michael and Friday who bagged three months of community service each or to pay N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira), N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira), N75, 000.00 (Seventy-five Thousand Naira), N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira), N75, 000.00 (Seventy-five Thousand Naira), N40, 000.00 (Forty Thousand Naira), N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira), N40, 000.00 (Forty Thousand Naira), N40, 000.00 (Forty Thousand Naira), N30, 000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira) and N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) respectively.

Furthermore, Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Matthew and Damilola to a fine of N30, 000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira) and N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) respectively.

Justice Sunmonu convicted and sentenced Akinlosotu to three months community service without an option of fine.

Besides their sentences, all the convicts forfeited items recovered from them to the federal government.  These include money, phones and laptop computers. Others are a green-coloured Toyota Camry 2205 model car with registration number: EPE – 232 – GU recovered from Oriyomi, a wine-coloured Toyota Camry vehicle with registration number: MUS – 84 – GU recovered from Ibrahim, a red-coloured 

Toyota Corolla car with chassis number: 2T1BU4EE3AC495391, recovered from Olaoluwa, a black-

coloured Toyota Camry car with registration number: MUS – 683 – HJ, recovered from Adeniyi and a golden-coloured Toyota Camry vehicle with chassis number: 411BE46KX8U203665 recovered from Abdullahi.

In addition, the court ordered that Ayobami pay the sum of N2.5million (Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) as restitution to his victim.

Photo profile of the convicts:

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Alerts the Public on 58 Illegal Ponzi Scheme Operators

In line with its commitment to sanitising the financial space of the nation and offer the investing public adequate and reliable information on the activities of illegal ponzi scheme operators across the country, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, hereby alerts Nigerians on the operations of 58 companies posturing as investing entities and defrauding innocent Nigerians of their hard-earned money.

  The companies are neither registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, nor the Security Exchange Commission, SEC. The two regulators, in separate correspondences with the EFCC, denied that they are registered with them. 

    The Commission has charged many of the companies to court, with five of them convicted, another five pleaded guilty but awaiting review of facts while the rest are pending arraignment.

  Please, find below the names of the illegally operating companies:

Wales Kingdom Capital, Bethseida Group of Companies, AQM Capital Limited, Titan Multibusiness Investment Limited, Brickwall Global Investment Limited, Farmforte Limited & Agro Partnership Tech, Green Eagles Agricbusiness Solution Limited, Richfield Multiconcepts Limited, Forte Asset Management Limited, (Biss Networks Nigeria Limited, S Mobile Netzone Limited, Pristine Mobile Network), Letsfarm Integrated Services, Bara Finance & Investment Limited, Vicampro Farms Limited, Brooks Network Limited, Gas Station Supply Services Limited, Brass & Books Limited, (Annexation Biz Concept & Maitanbuwal Global Venturescrowdyvest Limited,) and Crowdyvest Limited, 

Others are : Jadek Agro Connect Limited, Adeeva Capital Limited, Oxford International Group and Oxford Gold Integrated, Skapomah Global Limited, MBA Trading & Capital Investment Limited, TRJ Company Limited, Farm4Me Agriculture Limited, Quintessential Investment Company, Adeprinz Global Enterprises, Rockstar Establishment Limited, SU.Global Investment, Citi Trust Funding PLC, Farm Buddy, Eatrich 369 Farms & Food, Globertrot Farmsponsors Nigeria Limited, Farm Sponsors Limited, Cititrust Credit Limited, Farmfunded Agroservices Limited, Adamakin Investment & Works Limited.

The rest include: Cititrust Holding PLC, Green Eagles Agribusiness Solutions Limited, Chinmark Homes & Shelters Limited, Emerald Farms & Consultant Limited, Ovaioza Farm Produce Storage Limited, Farm 360 & Agriculture Company, Requid Technologies Limited, West Agro Agriculture & Food Processing Limited, NISL Ventures Limited & Estate of Laolu Martins, XY Connect Investment Limited, River Branch Unique Investment Limited, Hallmark Capital Limited, CJC Markets Limited, Crowd One Investment, Farmkart Foods Limited, KD Likemind Stakeholders Limited, Holibiz Finance Limited, Ifeanyi Okpe Oil & Gas Services, Servapps Nigeria Limited, Barrick Gold Mining Company and 360 Agric Partners Limited.

 The EFCC assures the public of its vigilance and proactive monitoring of every entity and player in the nation’s economic space to safeguard the public from opportunistic and predatory operators and use the instrumentality of its anti-corruption mandate to stimulate growth in the economy.

 

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arrests 14 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Jos

The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested fourteen suspected internet fraudsters.

 

They were arrested in K-Vom and Rayfield areas in Jos, Plateau State on Saturday March 8, 2025 following credible intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related activities. 

 

  Items recovered from them include five laptops, 13 phones and two power banks.

 

The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

 

Source: EFCC 

School Fee Payments, Funds from International Firms Benefitted Yahaya Bello’s Children- Witness

 Justice  Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Friday, March 7, 2025  heard further testimony from prosecution witness Nicholas Ojehomon, an internal auditor at the American International School Abuja, AISA, in the ongoing trial of a former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

 

 Ojehomon testified that all payments made for school fees at AISA, including those from international companies, were exclusively for the benefit of Bello’s children.

Led in evidence by  prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Ojehomon detailed a series of payments, referencing several exhibits that documented the transactions. He confirmed that multiple payments were made in favour of Bello’s children, Zara Omoneke Bello, Fatima Bello, Na’ima Ohunene Bello, and Farid Bello through different companies.

Pinheiro directed the witness to exhibit 13p1 and asked him to identify the document. Ojehomon responded, “It is a bank teller sent to AISA via email from Ali Bello.” When asked to read the name of the sender from the document, he stated, “It was sent in by Forza Oil and Gas, and the recipient is AISA.”

The prosecution counsel then inquired about the amount indicated on the teller. “The amount is $49,600,” Ojehomon confirmed. “Is there anywhere on that document indicating for whose benefit the money was sent?” Pinheiro asked. “Yes,” the witness responded, “Zara Omoneke Bello.”

Similar patterns emerged as Ojehomon reviewed additional exhibits: Exhibit 13p2: $44,700 was sent by Forza Oil and Gas to AISA for Fatima Bello, exhibit 13p3: $49,600 from Forza Oil and Gas to AISA for Zara Bello, exhibit 13p4: $44,700 from Forza Oil and Gas to AISA for Fatima Bello Oziohu, exhibit 13p5: $11,000 from Whales Oil and Gas to AISA with “Farid Oricha” listed under the contract number, exhibit 13p6: $78,160 from Alyeshua Provision Services to AISA, benefiting Fatima Ohizio Bello, exhibit 13p7: $42,170 from Alyeshua Provision Services to AISA for Na’ima Ohunene Bello.

Others are; exhibit 13p8: $44,700 from Forza Oil and Gas to AISA for Na’ima Ohunene Bello, exhibit 13p9: $75,000 from Unnaki General Trading Limited to AISA for Na’ima, exhibit 13p10: $75,000 from Unnaki General Trading Limited to AISA, with “Farid Edu Support” listed under the beneficiary.

Exhibit 13p11: $75,000 from Unnaki General Trading plc to AISA for Fatima, with “Invoice Reference: Fatima Edu Support, exhibit 13p12: $75,000 from Unnaki General Trading Limited to AISA, with “Invoice Reference: Zara Edu Support, exhibit 13p13: A $100,000 transfer from Manzi Issa, a Ugandan national. Exhibit 13p14: A $90,000 transfer from Dada Grant Merchant Limited, also based in Uganda.

The prosecution also presented exhibit 14p15-63, a series of receipts issued by AISA. When asked to confirm the names on the receipts, Ojehomon stated, “The receipts were all issued in the names of the four children of Yahaya Bello.” He went on to name them in exhibit 14p-16 as: Bello Nana, Fatima Zara Bello, Farid Bello, and Na’ima Bello. When asked to identify the parent of the named individuals from AISA’s records, Ojehomon confirmed, “From the record of AISA, the parent of the names mentioned is Yahaya Bello.”

Further, Pinheiro asked, “Please confirm to the court that none of the receipts from exhibit 13p16-53 were issued in favour of Forza Oil and Gas, Whales Oil and Gas, Alyeshua Solutions Services, Unnaki General Trading Limited, Dada Grant Merchant Limited of Kampala, or Manzi Issa of Uganda.” The witness responded, “I hereby confirm that none of the receipts issued by AISA were in favour of any of the names mentioned.”

During cross-examination, defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, attempted to tender certified true copies of receipts and rectification documents from a separate suit before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Suit No. FCT/HC/CB/2574/2023, between Ali Bello and the Incorporated Trustees of the American International School). Daudu sought to introduce these documents as evidence.

However, prosecution counsel Pinheiro objected, arguing that “this is a criminal trial, and the prosecution is still leading its case.” He cited Section 232 of the Evidence Act, stating that “the only nature of evidence that can be tendered at cross-examination is a previous statement in writing by the witness for the purpose of contradicting his current testimony.” Pinheiro emphasized that “a party cannot be tendering documents from the bar at this stage; they must wait until their turn to prove their case.”

In response, Daudu insisted that the documents were relevant under Section 4 of the Evidence Act, arguing that “the prosecution itself has acknowledged their relevance.” He maintained that “the document is a public document and should be admitted.”

After hearing both arguments, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that a decision on the admissibility of the documents would be made at the next hearing. The trial was adjourned to May 8 and 9, 2025, for further proceedings.

 

Source: EFCC 

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of $1.4m Linked to Emefiele, Ex-CBN Gov

Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, March 6, 2025, ordered the final forfeiture of $1,426,175.14 ( One Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Six Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy Five United States Dollars, Fourteen cents) linked to a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele.

 

The order followed a motion filed by the respondent seeking to set aside the court’s final forfeiture order of June 25, 2024. 

 

The court had given the final forfeiture order after a motion on notice filed and argued by Bilkisu Buhari, counsel for the EFCC, which went uncontested by any interested parties.

 

The motion was supported by an affidavit deposed to by David Jayeoba, an investigating officer with the EFCC who stated that investigation carried out showed that the fund was reasonably suspected to be proceed of unlawful activities "warehoused" in Donatone Limited's (DL)’s Titan Trust Bank account.

 

He stated thus: "The investigation traced the funds to having been fixed into interest-yielding accounts, dissipated and laundered through a foreign account in Mauritius, and transported back to Nigeria under disguise. 

 

“Of the total sum of $26,552,000.00 USD received by the firm, the balance standing in the said account as of today is the sum of $1,426,175.14 million USD.

 

“It is the balance in the account that the applicant seeks to forfeit to the Federal Government of Nigeria, which has been traced to be the proceeds of unlawful activities of erstwhile Central Bank Governor of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and his cronies. 

 

“Investigation further revealed that the international entities sourcing for forex were pressured into parting with huge funds to access forex during the period. 

 

“The signatories to the account warehousing the sum of $1,426,175.14 USD sought to be forfeited are at large and are making frantic efforts to dissipate the funds electronically."

 

Subsequently, the court granted the order.

 

However, in a counter-affidavit by solicitors for Donatone Limited dated November 25, 2024, they argued that the depositions contained in paragraphs four to 18 of the affidavit deposed to by Jayeoba were not correct. 

 

Responding to the counter-affidavit, the EFCC in an affidavit dated November 29, 2024 countered their claim with more evidence. 

 

Subsequently, Justice Faji held that: “Anyone laying claims to the fund, must show the lawfulness of the acquisition and not that the said fund is not proceeds of crime.

 

“Having listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the motion just moved, together with the affidavit in support, the motion is hereby granted.” 

 

Consequently, Justice Faji granted the application for final forfeiture of the fund.

 

Source: EFCC