EFCC

Alleged ₦738.6m Fraud: Judge Threatens to Revoke Maina’s Bail

Published

4 months ago

February 6, 2026

The trial of Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, continued on Thursday, February 5, 2026, before Justice Abubakar Kutigi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Asokoro, with the judge threatening to revoke the defendant’s bail over what he described as repeated antics aimed at stalling the trial.

Justice Kutigi expressed displeasure following the presentation of a hospital referral by the defence counsel, Mr Achibong, and his subsequent request for an adjournment, despite the referral indicating no specific illness.

The judge lamented that the case had failed to make meaningful progress in the last four years due to what he described as deliberate attempts by the defendant to delay proceedings, despite the court granting him ample opportunity to respond to the fraud allegations.

Justice Kutigi noted that Maina’s conduct “has stalled proceedings completely,” recalling that the last time the defendant personally appeared in court was about four years ago. He warned that the court was considering revoking Maina’s bail to compel him to take the trial seriously.

While refusing the defence counsel’s adjournment request, the judge disclosed that he had secured a commitment from the defence team to proceed with the trial henceforth, with or without Maina’s physical presence in court.

Following the dismissal of the adjournment request, prosecution counsel, Francis Usani, proceeded to present the 14th prosecution witness (PW14), Gogi Mohammed, who continued his evidence-in-chief from where he stopped at the previous sitting.

Led in evidence by the prosecution, the witness, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), told the court that investigations in Kaduna revealed that the first defendant used staff of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to siphon public funds through payments for fictitious contracts, allowances and biometric enrolment exercises for pensioners.

“In our effort to trace where the funds were kept, we discovered a relative of the defendant, one Maimuna Usman, resident in Kaduna, who was a custodian of his assets. We went to her residence at Gwando MSC Quarters, arrested her and executed a search warrant. During the search, we recovered title documents, deeds of assignment and certificates of occupancy for over 30 properties, mostly located in Abuja and Kaduna State. During interrogation, she disclosed that the documents were given to her by the first defendant,” he said.

The witness further testified that, following interviews with real estate agents involved in the transactions, the EFCC filed for the forfeiture of the properties.

According to him, several of the properties were purchased in cash.

“A property located in Jabi, Abuja, was purchased by Abdulrasheed Maina in cash for $2 million. Another property in Life Camp, Abuja, was bought for $1.7 million in cash, while a property on Katoru Road, Kaduna, was purchased for ₦100 million, also paid in cash,” he said.

Continuing his testimony, the witness said: “My Lord, in the course of my earlier testimony, I mentioned Hamilton Global Services Limited, owned by Osarenkhoe Afe. He was a member of the Pension Reform Task Team headed by Abdulrasheed Maina and was introduced to the team by the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Stephen Oronsaye, at the instance of Maina.

“Afe’s company was awarded a biometric enrolment contract valued at ₦63 million. Before the expiration of the contract, the company applied for an extension and additional payment of ₦136 million, bringing the contract sum to ₦199 million.”

The witness said EFCC investigators requested the bank statements of Innovative Solutions Limited and discovered that a total of ₦224 million was paid to the company for the same contract.

He told the court that the owner of the company, Robert Eakazobo, admitted during interrogation that the contract sum was inflated at the instance of the first defendant.

“Further analysis showed that out of the ₦224 million paid to Innovative Solutions, ₦166 million was transferred to Fredrick Hamilton’s account. It was also discovered that ₦1.19 million was paid directly to him by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for biometric enrolment,” he said.

The witness added that Afe disclosed during investigation that the total amount he received from Innovative Solutions and direct payments from the OHCSF amounted to about ₦280 million, out of which he paid ₦250 million in tranches to the first defendant, mostly through post-dated cheques.

The witness identified the extra-judicial statements of the first and second defendants—six and three pages respectively—written in their own handwriting at the EFCC office. However, defence counsel to both defendants objected to their admissibility, alleging that the statements were obtained under duress.

To determine the circumstances under which the statements were made, Justice Kutigi adjourned the case to February 20 and 26, 2026, for trial-within-trial.

Maina was arraigned alongside Ann Igwe Olachi in 2019 on a nine-count charge bordering on the receipt of stolen funds amounting to ₦738,612,019.99 (Seven Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Six Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Nineteen Naira, Ninety-Nine Kobo).

Count one of the charge reads: “That Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, on or about July 2, 2010, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly received the sum of ₦155,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifty-Five Million Naira) from Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited through Osarenkhoe Afe, knowing that the said sum was stolen from the Federal Government of Nigeria under the guise of a contract for biometric enrolment of pensioners, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 317, read in conjunction with Section 316, of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, 2007.”

Count two reads: “That Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina and Ann Igwe Olachi, between July and December 2011 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly received an aggregate sum of ₦153,146,719.99 (One Hundred and Fifty-Three Million, One Hundred and Forty-Six Thousand, Seven Hundred and Nineteen Naira, Ninety-Nine Kobo) from Xangee Technologies Limited, knowing that the said sum was stolen from the Federal Government of Nigeria under the guise of a biometric enrolment contract, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 317, read in conjunction with Section 316, of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, 2007.”

Both defendants pleaded not guilty, prompting the commencement of trial.

EFCC

Alleged $6bn Mambilla Project Fraud: Witness Clarifies Certification of FEC Meeting Extracts

Published

4 days ago

June 11, 2026

Staff Editor

The Fifth Prosecution Witness (PW5) in the trial of former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, clarified issues surrounding the certification of the extract of the minutes of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of May 21, 2003, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, Abuja, following a formal request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for certified extracts of the meeting.

The former minister is facing prosecution on an amended seven-count charge bordering on alleged official corruption and the fraudulent award of the Mambilla Power Project contract worth $6 billion to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited.

The witness, Iliya John Iyakwari, an Assistant Director of Legal in the Federal Ministry of Justice, currently serving in the Federal Ministry of Power as an Assistant Legal Adviser since August 2014, stated during cross-examination by defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, that the request for a certified copy of the extract of the FEC meeting of May 21, 2003, was received from the EFCC in July 2023.

He explained that the certification was eventually done in 2024 because, upon receipt of the request letter from the User Department, the Legal Department forwarded a memo to the EFCC dated July 27, 2023, but the initial copy sent to the Commission was not certified, prompting the EFCC to return it.

“It was after it was received by the EFCC in July 2023 that they realised the extract was not certified. So, in January 2024, a staff of the EFCC brought back Exhibit Three K to my Legal Adviser, and the name of the EFCC staff is Babangida.

“He brought it personally and reminded my director that it was not certified. My director then gave me the document to certify. That is why my lord will see on the face of the document that the date it was certified, January 26, 2024, is different from the date it was forwarded. It was in the process of certification that I mistakenly stamped the original forwarding letter dated June 27, 2023. After stamping the document, I gave it back to my director, who I believe handed it over to Babangida because I left them afterwards,” he said.

When asked whether his earlier testimony suggesting certification in June 2023 was contradictory, prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, defended the witness’ position, insisting that the testimony was not contradictory and that court records spoke for themselves.

“My lord, I object to this particular question anchored on Exhibit PW5A, which was just tendered in court. What I see in our record, and what I believe is reflected in the records of the court, is that in his explanation, he summarised that all these activities were done in June 2023; he never said the certification was done in 2023.

“This objection is founded on Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is superior to the Evidence Act. We will rely on the record of the court, particularly line 16,” he said.

The witness was also asked whether the document tendered in court by Babangida during his testimony was a different extract of the FEC meeting from the one he certified.

The prosecution counsel again objected, arguing that the witness, in line with court procedure, was absent from the courtroom during Babangida’s testimony and therefore could not be cross-examined on a document that was not tendered through him. He cited the case of Buhari v. INEC & Others (2008).

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter until June 18 and July 2, 2026, for the continuation of trial.

EFCC

EFCC Arraigns Three Over Alleged ₦10bn Fidelity Bank Fraud in Lagos

Published

4 days ago

June 11, 2026

Staff Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three men and another suspect currently at large before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja over an alleged ₦10 billion fraud involving Fidelity Bank Plc.

The defendants, identified as Ibeh Emmanuel, Chidiebere Ihekoronye, Akubuo Chimuanya, and Austen Peaks Aniekan, who is currently at large, were brought before Justice Olubusola A. Okunuga on Wednesday on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents, and forgery.

According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly conspired to fraudulently obtain ₦10 billion from Fidelity Bank Plc through forged documents and false representations.

One of the charges alleged that on or about April 16, 2026, the defendants, with intent to defraud, conspired among themselves to obtain the sum of ₦10 billion from Fidelity Bank Plc by falsely claiming that Maton Engineering Limited, which maintains account number 4011468821 with the bank, had issued an irrevocable standing order directing the reservation, blocking, and transfer of the funds in favour of Prospera Finance Limited, domiciled with Wema Bank Plc.

The anti-graft agency stated that the representation was false and that the defendants were fully aware of its falsity at the time it was made.

The commission further alleged that the defendants attempted to obtain the said amount based on the same purported instruction and false representation.

According to the charge, the alleged offences contravene Sections 1(1)(a), 8(a), and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

The EFCC also accused Emmanuel of being in possession of a document purportedly issued by Fidelity Bank Plc confirming the existence of blocked funds amounting to ₦10 billion in favour of Prospera Finance Limited, which he allegedly knew to be false.

In addition, the defendants were accused of forging a document titled, “Confirmation of Ten Billion Naira (₦10,000,000,000.00) Blocked Funds in Favour of Prospera Finance Limited,” purportedly emanating from Fidelity Bank Plc.

The commission alleged that the document was knowingly fabricated without lawful authority, contrary to Section 365(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

When the charges were read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty.

Following their plea, prosecution counsel, A.A. Usman, urged the court to fix a date for trial and requested that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility pending the determination of their bail applications.

Justice Okunuga subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until June 18, 2026, for the hearing of their bail applications and the commencement of trial.

The EFCC stated that investigations into the alleged fraud are ongoing, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend the fourth defendant, Aniekan, who remains at large.

EFCC

EFCC Arraigns Blessing CEO for Fresh Alleged ₦69.1m Fraud

Published

5 days ago

June 10, 2026

Staff Editor

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, arraigned a social media influencer, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka (a.k.a. Blessing CEO), before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over an alleged ₦69,150,000 fraud.

Nkiruka was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of ₦69,150,000.

At the commencement of proceedings, prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie, urged the court to proceed with the arraignment, arguing that the defendant had been duly served with the charge.

However, defence counsel, Nkama Nneka, informed the court that service of the charge had only recently been effected.

In his ruling, Justice Oshodi held that the arraignment should proceed in accordance with the law. Consequently, the charges were read to the defendant.

Count one reads: “That you, OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA, on or about March 21, 2025, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, induced Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited to confer a benefit of ₦69,150,000 (Sixty-Nine Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) on you under the representation that the property located at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki, belonged to you and was leased to the company for a period of five years, a representation you knew to be false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(2) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.”

Count two reads: “That you, OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA, on or about March 21, 2025, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of ₦69,150,000 (Sixty-Nine Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), being the property of Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited, thereby committing an offence of stealing contrary to Section 280(2) and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”

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

Following her plea, Okezie asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody pending her scheduled arraignment before the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on June 10, 2026, in another alleged fraud case.

Consequently, Justice Oshodi remanded the defendant in EFCC custody and adjourned the matter till July 16, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.

In a related development, Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, granted Blessing Nkiruka, who is being prosecuted for an alleged ₦36 million fraud, bail in the sum of ₦10 million with two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties must be a family member and is required to provide proof of employment, a Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identification Number (NIN), and a valid phone number.

The sureties must also submit a valid international passport, tax clearance certificates for the last two years, and six passport photographs.

The defendant was earlier arraigned on a two-count charge by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of ₦36 million.