EFCC Arraigns Syndicate Impersonating Olukoyede for $700,000 Fraud.




The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned two members of an alleged syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim for impersonating and attempting to blackmail the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede.

They were arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja.

The suspects allegedly contacted Mohammed Bello-Koko,a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, claiming to have access to a phony investigation involving him by the EFCC. They demanded $1 million, promising that Olukoyede would ensure a “soft landing” for them. They also threatened him with arrest and prosecution should he fail to play along with them.

The EFCC filed a four-count charge against the duo for impersonation and attempted fraud.

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

Following their pleas, EFCC’s counsel, Elizabeth Alabi, requested the court to remand the defendants in a Correctional facility pending the commencement of the trial.  

Obinna Nwosu, counsel to the first defendant, applied for his client’s release on liberal bail terms, while counsel for the second defendant, Peter Oriobe, made an oral request for bail. Justice Onwuebuzie, however, directed Oriobe to formally submit the bail application in writing.

Alabi opposed the bail applications, referencing a 22-paragraph counter-affidavit and Exhibit EFCC 1 and urging the court to deny the defendant bail and grant an accelerated hearing.

After reviewing the applications, Justice Onwuebuzie granted bail to the first defendant in the sum of 100 million naira with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must not be less than level 16 officers in the civil service. The sureties are also required to submit their appointment and promotion letters, valid identification, and a written undertaking to bring the defendant to every court sitting. The first defendant must also surrender his international passport to the court.

The court ordered that the first and second defendants be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until bail conditions are met and adjourned the matter till November 18, 2024, for the hearing of the second defendant’s bail application.

Joshua and Hashim are members of an alleged four-man syndicate impersonating  Olukoyede. They were arrested on August 28, 2024 at Gimbiya Street,  Garki and Apo legislative quarters in Abuja.

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