The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two alleged members of a syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, accused of impersonating the EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, in an attempt to extort $1 million from the immediate past Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to the EFCC, Joshua and Hashim contacted Bello-Koko, falsely claiming they could influence an investigation they alleged was ongoing against him.
They demanded $1 million to secure a “soft landing” and threatened arrest and prosecution if he failed to cooperate.
The defendants are facing a four-count charge bordering on impersonation and attempted fraud under the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The prosecution told the court that on September 28, 2024, the duo attempted to obtain $700,000 from Bello-Koko, asserting they could halt a non-existent EFCC petition.
Both defendants entered a not guilty plea, and the EFCC counsel, Mrs. Elizabeth Alabi, requested their remand pending trial, while the defence counsel sought their bails.
Justice Onwuebuzie granted bail to the first defendant, Joshua, with stringent conditions including a N100 million bond and two level-16 civil service sureties.
Both defendants were ordered remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until bail conditions are met.
The judge scheduled the second defendant’s bail hearing for November 18, 2024.
The defendants, who were allegedly part of a four-man syndicate impersonating EFCC officials, were arrested on August 28, 2024, in Garki and Apo legislative quarters, Abuja.
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