Ex-NEDC coordinator arraigned over N2.28bn fraud

From Sola Ojo, Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday, arraigned a former National Coordinator of the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Alhaji Danjuma Mohammed, over an alleged N2.28 billion fraud.

Mohammed was arraigned alongside Prince Chibuike Echem before Justice K. N. Ogbonnaya of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Zuba, Abuja, on a 54-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and forgery.

A third defendant, Aminu Alhaji, is currently at large.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants committed the offences between May 2022 and February 2024 in Abuja, where they allegedly conspired to fraudulently obtained funds from Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu, Managing Director of Diamond Leeds Limited, under the guise of awarding and executing contracts linked to the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery and Stability Programme (NERSP) of the NEDC.

At the proceedings, prosecuting counsel Adeola Olanrewaju informed the court that the charge, originally filed on December 3, 2025, had been amended and sought its substitution with the 54-count amended charge dated January 22, 2026, relying on the proof of evidence attached.

The court subsequently granted the application.

One of the charges alleged that the defendants conspired to obtain N2.28 billion from the complainant and his company through false pretences, an offence contrary to Section 8(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Another count stated that the defendants, with intent to defraud, allegedly obtained an aggregate sum of N573.5 million from the complainant within 2023 through a Wema Bank account belonging to Prince Echem, falsely claiming they had the authority to award NEDC contracts an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the same Act.

All the defendants present pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following the plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in custody pending the determination of the case.

Defence counsel Chukwuka Obidike, however, drew the court’s attention to a motion for bail already filed.

In response, the prosecution said it had only been served with the bail application late the previous day and sought time to file a counter-affidavit, indicating its intention to oppose the application.

Ruling on the issue, Justice Ogbonnaya held that in the interest of justice, the prosecution should be allowed time to respond.

The court consequently ordered the remand of the defendants at the Suleja Correctional Centre pending trial.

The matter was adjourned to March 25, 2026, for commencement of trial.