EFCC

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

Published

1 month 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

EFCC Hands Over $225,895, ₦62.79m Recovered Funds to Foreign Victims

Published

6 hours ago

March 14, 2026

Staff Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday, March 13, 2026, handed over a total sum of $225,895 (Two Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Five United States Dollars) and ₦62,790,000 (Sixty-Two Million, Seven Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira) to foreign victims of fraud from the United States and South Africa.

The handover ceremony was presided over by the Secretary to the Commission, Mohammed Hammajoda, and featured representatives of the victims’ nations, including the Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Mike Fukuda, and the Acting High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, Lindi Mminele.

Commenting on the handover, Hammajoda noted that corruption remains a global menace that requires collective efforts to combat.

“Corruption is like a cancer that eats into every fabric of our lives. It is cross-border in nature; therefore, we must join hands collectively to defeat it. Corruption has no borders, and if we do not fight it together, it will consume us all,” he said.

He added that the EFCC remains committed to ensuring that recovered proceeds of crime are returned to their rightful owners.

“From our end at the EFCC, we are doing our best. Whatever we recover, we return to the victims, whether individuals, corporate organisations, governments or international victims. We also expect the same gesture from our sister agencies and collaborators across the world,” he said.

Speaking further on collaboration, restitution and asset recovery, Hammajoda urged the Commission’s international partners in the United States, Europe, Asia, South Africa and other parts of the world to respond promptly to requests for cooperation.

“Whatever is due to Nigeria, we expect to receive it just as we make recoveries available to you. Whether you are in America, Europe, Asia or Africa, we expect the same cooperation,” he said.

During the ceremony, Fukuda received $7,440 on behalf of American victims of fraud: Drago Boskovic, Anh Ngoc Nguyen, and three others, while Holly Ngo received $175,895 and ₦62,790,000.

Similarly, the Acting High Commissioner of South Africa, Mminele, alongside the victim’s lawyer, Elisha Sunday, received $50,000 on behalf of Ennis-Flint Africa Limited, a South African company.

Speaking on behalf of the victims, Mminele expressed appreciation to the EFCC for its efforts in recovering and restituting the funds.

“I would like to express my gratitude for the good work the EFCC has been doing. South Africa has witnessed that what the Commission is doing is real, as the victim company has experienced and seen the results of the work done,” she said.

She added that the South African High Commission values its longstanding relationship with the EFCC and looks forward to continued cooperation.

Also speaking, the lawyer to the South African victim company, Elisha Sunday, commended the Commission for its relentless efforts in combating economic and financial crimes.

“The best thing that ever happened to this country is the EFCC because of the good work it is doing. I say this not because I am here, but because I have seen the dedication of the staff of the Commission. Their efforts are helping to restore confidence that people can still do business with Nigerians,” he said.

He also praised the Commission’s role in strengthening Nigeria’s reputation in the global financial system.

On his part, Fukuda commended the EFCC for its commitment to ensuring justice for victims of fraud.

“I have seen the effort the EFCC has made in securing restitution for victims, and it is inspiring to me and my organisation. I want to reaffirm our readiness to continue working with you. Your organisation is truly a world-class agency, and we are honoured to collaborate with you,” he said on behalf of the FBI and the United States Department of Justice.

EFCC

₦1.2bn Fraud Trial: EFCC Witness Says He Delivered $15m Cash to Ex-NIMASA DG Akpobolokemi

Published

1 day ago

March 13, 2026

Staff Editor

A prosecution witness in the ongoing fraud trial involving former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi, on Thursday told the court that he personally delivered $15 million in cash to the former agency boss.

The witness, Captain Ezekiel Bala-Agaba, a former Executive Director of Maritime Safety, Shipping Development, and Marine Operations at NIMASA, testified before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Agaba, who appeared as the 15th prosecution witness, told the court that funds meant for pipeline surveillance were withdrawn from NIMASA’s accounts, converted into dollars, and handed over to Akpobolokemi.

According to him, the money was taken to a Bureau de Change, which converted it into $15 million, before the cash was delivered to the NIMASA office on Burma Road, Apapa, Lagos.

He said he subsequently took the money to the office of the then Director-General.

“The money was sent to a Bureau de Change, which later brought the dollar equivalent to our office at Burma Road, Apapa, Lagos. I asked my Personal Assistant, Ekene Nwakuche, to carry the bag and follow me to the Director-General’s office,” he told the court.

Agaba explained that he collected the bag from his aide before entering the office.

“When we got to the door of the Director-General’s office, I collected the bag from him and asked him to wait outside. I then personally delivered the sum of $15 million to the Director-General.”

The witness, who formerly served as Director of Maritime Security and Safety, was initially a defendant in the case but later opted to testify for the prosecution.

While being led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Barr. Suleiman Suleiman, Agaba explained the chain of command within NIMASA and how financial approvals were processed in the agency.

According to him, the Director-General is the overall head of the agency and issues instructions to directors, who then implement policies in line with the NIMASA Act.

He told the court that he chaired the agency’s Intelligence Committee, which was responsible for certain security-related operations.

“As chairman of the committee, I oversaw its activities and reported directly to the Director-General, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi,” he said.

During the proceedings, the witness was also shown a document containing a letter from Access Bank to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detailing transactions in NIMASA’s accounts between 2013 and 2015.

When asked how much money he took to the former Director-General, Agaba replied: “$15 million.”

Counsel Collins Ogbonna represented Akpobolokemi, the first defendant in the case, while Tokunbo Ajibulu appeared for the second defendant, Captain Warredi Enisuoh.

After listening to the testimony, Justice Faji adjourned the matter until April 22 and 23 for continuation of trial.

The EFCC had, in December 2015, arraigned Akpobolokemi and seven others before the court on a 30-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraudulent conversion of funds, and money laundering.

Those charged alongside the former NIMASA boss include Ezekiel Agaba, Warredi Enisuoh, Governor Juan, Ugo Frederick, and Timi Alari, as well as Alkenzo Limited and Penniel Engineering Services Limited.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants conspired to divert funds running into over ₦1.15 billion under the guise of providing security intelligence in Nigeria’s maritime domain.

According to the EFCC, the NIMASA Intelligence Committee allegedly received ₦1,153,000,000 between December 2013 and July 2015.

Investigations further revealed that several companies contracted to execute the intelligence operations were either unregistered or lacked the capacity to perform the services, while some were allegedly linked to the defendants.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendants nominated or owned many of the companies used to execute the contracts.

One of the charges stated that Akpobolokemi and the other defendants conspired to commit offences punishable under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012.

EFCC

Make Integrity Your Foundation, Olukoyede Charges Students

Published

3 days ago

March 11, 2026

Staff Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has charged students across the country to make integrity their foundation, stressing that with such a foundation, their future prospects for success will be enhanced.

He gave the charge in Abuja on Monday, March 9, 2026, while addressing students of J.K. People’s Comprehensive Academy, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, who were on a study tour of the EFCC’s Corporate Headquarters.

Olukoyede, who spoke through the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity and spokesperson for the Commission, Deputy Commander of the EFCC (DCE) Dele Oyewale, noted that students who embrace integrity, accountability, and transparency will emerge as leaders in their generation.

“Your foundation is important. No superstructure can stand on a foundation of corruption. At this stage of your education, you have every opportunity to choose integrity. You cannot be wrong with integrity, and you cannot be right with corruption,” he said.

The EFCC boss further encouraged the students to aim high, broaden their vision and aspirations, and positively influence their environment.

On her part, the Head of the Enlightenment and Re-Orientation Unit of the Commission, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II) Aisha Mohammed, pointed out that prevention, investigation, and prosecution are the EFCC’s three-pronged approach to fighting corruption, economic, and financial crimes.

She highlighted television and radio sensitisation programmes, the establishment of Integrity and Zero Tolerance Clubs in schools across the country, and sustained collaboration with critical stakeholders as part of the Commission’s preventive efforts.

She charged the students to always tread the path of ethical behaviour as leaders of tomorrow.

“You are the future of this country. If you get it right, Nigeria will get it right. Be content. Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into living beyond your means,” she said.

In a presentation on cybersecurity, Inspector of the EFCC, Kayode Eniola, educated the students on the nature and consequences of cybercrime, describing it as criminal activities perpetrated through digital communication tools and internet-enabled platforms.

She identified phishing, hacking, and online romance scams as common forms of cybercrime, adding that victims often suffer financial losses, privacy breaches, and reputational damage.

She further advised the students to adopt preventive measures against cybercrime, such as using strong passwords, updating their software regularly, avoiding suspicious links, and logging out of shared devices after use.

In his remarks, Okoro Chijioke, a teacher at the school, expressed gratitude to the EFCC for the insightful engagement, describing it as “an unforgettable experience and one of the best so far.”

The event featured a question-and-answer session as well as a quiz competition in which the students’ understanding of the lectures was assessed. Two students who emerged winners were presented with gifts and souvenirs.