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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday and Wednesday recorded major milestones in its ongoing fight against economic and financial crimes across the country, with arraignments and asset recoveries in Maiduguri, Lagos, and Ibadan.
In Maiduguri, the EFCC arraigned one Muhammad Umar before Justice Aisha Ibrahim of the Borno State High Court for allegedly defrauding a victim of N4.2 million under false pretence.
Umar was charged with obtaining money by false pretence and misappropriation, offences contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
According to the charge, Umar obtained N4.2 million from one Abubakar Kaumi under the guise of purchasing a property in Bolori Ward, Maiduguri a claim investigators said was false. He pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.
Prosecution counsel, S.O. Saka, requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility.
Justice Ibrahim adjourned the matter to November 3, 2025, for trial and ordered his remand.
In a separate development, the EFCC also arraigned a vessel, MT Ostria, and three individuals, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, and Mr. Vincent Wayas before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos, for alleged theft of over 25 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) belonging to NNPC Retail Limited.
The defendants were charged on a four-count information bordering on conspiracy and stealing, contrary to Sections 411 and 280 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. They pleaded not guilty.
Prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, urged the court to deny bail, arguing the defendants were flight risks. However, their lawyers sought to retain existing administrative bail granted by the EFCC.
Justice Dada ruled that the accused persons should remain on the same bail conditions and adjourned the case to November 17 and 27, 2025, for trial.
Meanwhile, in Ibadan, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede on Tuesday handed over three properties, two vehicles, and N1.1 million recovered from a convicted fake spiritualist, Fatai Olalere Alli (a.k.a. Baba Abore, Baba Osun), to fraud victim Daniel Babatunde Attiogbe.
The assets, recovered by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Commission, were released to the victim following a final forfeiture order by Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan.
The recovered items include a five-bedroom duplex and bungalow at Kasumu village, Odo-ona, Elewe; another bungalow at Lapiti layout, Akanran Road; and a three-bedroom bungalow at Idi Ayunre village, all in Ibadan.
Also recovered were a Honda Pilot SUV and a Toyota Corolla Saloon car.
While presenting the documents to the victim, Olukoyede reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to transparency, due process, and respect for judicial orders.
“Obeying court orders is mandatory, and as an agency of the federal government, we understand its importance.
“This demonstrates that the EFCC operates strictly within the ambit of the law,” he said.
Attiogbe, the beneficiary, expressed gratitude to the Commission for restoring his faith in justice.
“I almost gave up, but the EFCC rekindled my hope. I thank the Ibadan Zonal Office for their professionalism and diligence,” he said.
Alli had been convicted in 2024 for defrauding Attiogbe of over N200 million under the guise of offering spiritual cleansing to avert death. He was sentenced to three years in prison.
The EFCC said these cases highlight its resolve to pursue economic offenders across sectors and ensure that stolen or fraudulently obtained assets are returned to rightful owners.
