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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recorded significant progress in two major fraud cases involving billions of naira.
In Lagos, Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja, on Wednesday, November 5, convicted and sentenced one Samuel Ihechukwu Asiegbu to three years’ imprisonment without an option of fine for his role in an N8.56 billion fraud involving one of the first-generation banks.
Asiegbu was arraigned alongside several others on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, and unauthorised access to a computer system with intent to commit fraud, contrary to Sections 409 and 386 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Initially pleading not guilty during his first arraignment on Thursday, June 23, 2025, Asiegbu later changed his plea to guilty, prompting the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
He received 10 months and 8 days’ imprisonment on count three and 1 year and 8 months on count four, both to run concurrently, with no option of fine.
The court struck out counts one and two and adjourned further proceedings against the remaining defendants to November 14, 2025.
Meanwhile, in Kaduna, the EFCC arraigned Captain Nuhu Haruna, Managing Director of Maphutha Oil & Gas Limited, before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court for an alleged N1.02 billion foreign exchange fraud.
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Haruna faces a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence, contrary to Section 1(1)(b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
According to the EFCC, Haruna obtained N782.3 million and N125 million in December 2023 and January 2024 respectively from Alhaji Sheriff Zailani Shanono, claiming he could provide the dollar equivalent of the sums.
However, the alleged transactions turned out to be fraudulent when the petitioner discovered that the payment evidence supplied by the defendant was fake.
Haruna pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The prosecution counsel, M.E. Eimonye, requested a trial date, while the defence counsel, M.T. Mohammed, informed the court of a pending bail application.
Justice Khobo adjourned the case to November 19, 2025, for hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in a Correctional Centre.
