Two alleged members of a suspected criminal syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, have been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of attempted fraud and impersonation of the EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The duo was brought before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
According to the EFCC, the suspects allegedly contacted Mohammed Bello-Koko, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), claiming they had access to a fabricated investigation by the EFCC involving him. They demanded $1 million, promising that Chairman Olukoyede would guarantee a “soft landing” for him, while threatening arrest and prosecution if he did not cooperate.
The EFCC filed a four-count charge against the defendants for impersonation and attempted fraud.
One count of the charges states: “That you, Ojobo Joshua (aka PA to Chairman EFCC) and Aliyu Hashim, on or about September 28, 2024, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, attempted to obtain the sum of $700,000 (Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) by false pretence from Mohammed Bello-Koko. You falsely represented to him that there was a pending EFCC petition against him, which you could influence the Executive Chairman to halt. This act is contrary to Section 8(b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
EFCC’s counsel, Elizabeth Alabi, requested their remand in a correctional facility pending the trial’s commencement. She stated, “Having pleaded not guilty, my Lord, we ask for a date to begin calling our witnesses and request the defendants be remanded in custody.”
Obinna S. Nwosu, representing the first defendant, sought liberal bail terms, while Peter Oriobe, representing the second defendant, made an oral bail application, which Justice Onwuebuzie directed him to submit formally.
Alabi opposed the bail requests, presenting a counter-affidavit and Exhibit EFCC 1, and urged the court to deny bail and expedite the hearing.
Justice Onwuebuzie granted bail to the first defendant in the sum of N100 million with two sureties of at least level 16 in the civil service. The sureties must submit their appointment and promotion letters, valid identification, and a written undertaking to ensure the defendant’s attendance at court. The first defendant is also required to surrender his international passport to the court.
The court ordered both defendants to be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are fulfilled and set November 18, 2024, for the second defendant’s bail hearing.
Joshua and Hashim, who were part of an alleged four-man syndicate impersonating Olukoyede, were arrested at Gimbiya Street in Garki and the Apo legislative quarters.
