Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency has arraigned a man accused of defrauding a victim of more than 600 million naira by falsely promising to secure a top job at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought Gidado Ibrahim before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday. A second suspect, Halimat Adenike Tejusho, is currently at large.
Prosecutors allege that between August and October 2024, the pair obtained 603.4 million naira (about $400,000) from a victim, Oluseye Yomi-Sholoye, under the pretence of facilitating her appointment as Group Managing Director of the NNPC.
According to the EFCC, the defendants knew the claim was false.
Mr Ibrahim also faces a separate charge of allegedly using a forged document purportedly from the Office of the National Security Adviser at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He pleaded not guilty to all six counts, which include fraud, obtaining money under false pretences and forgery.
Prosecuting counsel Y. Tarfa asked the court to set a trial date and order the defendant’s remand in custody.
However, defence lawyer B.B. Alhaji told the court that a bail application had been filed but was not yet ready for hearing. He requested that his client be held in EFCC custody on health grounds pending a decision on bail.
Justice H. Muazu adjourned the case until 17 February 2026 to hear the bail application and ordered that Mr Ibrahim be remanded at Kuje Correctional Facility.
About The Author
