The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a company chief executive and his wife before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged fraud and money laundering amounting to about 740 million naira.
The defendants – Osabohein Alex Ologbose, chief executive of Onome Global Market Resources Limited and Lexicon Multi-concept Media Limited, and his wife, Hope Onome Oghelemu – appeared on Monday before Justice Ekerete Akpan.
The two companies were also listed as defendants in the seven-count charge.
According to the anti-graft agency, the charges border on obtaining by false pretence, conversion of funds and money laundering, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
At the arraignment, prosecution counsel O.S. Ujam told the court that amended charges had been filed on 28 January 2026 and requested that they be read to the defendants.
One of the counts alleges that Mr Ologbose, between January 2023 and April 2024 in Abuja, took possession of 340 million naira paid into his account at Kuda Microfinance Bank from an account belonging to Mrs Oghelemu at Access Bank. Prosecutors said he ought reasonably to have known that the funds formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity.
Another count alleges that he used 24.1 million naira from the same source to establish and operate a music and photo studio at Crowther Plaza in the Gudu District of Abuja, knowing or having reason to know that the money was derived from unlawful acts.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following the plea, Mr Ujam asked the court to fix a date for trial. Defence counsel, Marshal Abubakar, urged the court to allow the first defendant to continue on administrative bail earlier granted, and also sought bail for the third defendant, citing the need to care for a one-year-old child.
In his ruling, Justice Akpan allowed the first defendant to continue on administrative bail but denied bail to the third defendant. She was remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned until 27 April 2026 for hearing.
The EFCC said its investigation showed that the defendants allegedly persuaded members of the public to invest money for the procurement and export of bitter kola and red kolanut to Hong Kong, China and Indonesia, with promises of returns on investment.
Investigators allege that the promised returns were not paid and that investors did not receive refunds of their capital.
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