The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
has arraigned two members of an alleged syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and
Aliyu Hashim for impersonating and attempting to blackmail the Executive
Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede.
They were arraigned on Wednesday, November 13, 2024
before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT,
High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja.
The suspects allegedly contacted Mohammed Bello-Koko,
former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, claiming to have
access to a phony investigation involving him by the EFCC. They demanded $1
million, promising that Olukoyede would ensure a “soft landing” for them. They
also
threatened him with arrest and prosecution should he
fail to play along with them.
The EFCC filed a four-count charge against the duo for
impersonation and attempted fraud.
Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Ojobo Joshua
(aka PA to Chairman EFCC) and Aliyu Hashim, on or about September 28, 2024, in
Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to
defraud, attempted to obtain the sum of $700,000 (Seven Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars) by false pretence from Mohammed Bello-Koko. You falsely
represented to him that there was a pending EFCC petition against him, which
you could influence the Executive Chairman to halt. This act is contrary to Section
8(b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other
Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges
when they were read to them.
Following their pleas, EFCC’s counsel, Elizabeth
Alabi, requested the court to remand the defendants in a Correctional facility
pending the commencement of the trial. She said, “Having pleaded not guilty, my
Lord, we ask for a date to begin calling our witnesses and request the
defendants be remanded in custody.”
Obinna S. Nwosu, counsel to the first defendant,
applied for his client’s release on liberal bail terms, while counsel for the
second defendant, Peter Oriobe, made an oral request for bail. Justice
Onwuebuzie, however, directed Oriobe to formally submit the bail application in
writing.
Alabi opposed the bail applications, referencing a
22-paragraph counter-affidavit and Exhibit EFCC 1 and urging the court to deny
the defendant bail and grant an accelerated hearing.
After reviewing the applications, Justice Onwuebuzie
granted bail to the first defendant in the sum of N100 million with two
sureties in like sum. The sureties must not be less than level 16 officers in
the civil service. The sureties are also required to submit their appointment
and promotion letters, valid identification, and a written undertaking to bring
the defendant to every court sitting. The first defendant must also surrender
his international passport to the court.
The court ordered that the first and second defendants
be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until bail conditions are met and
adjourned the matter till November 18, 2024, for the hearing of the second
defendant’s bail application.
Joshua and Hashim are members of an alleged four-man
syndicate impersonating Olukoyede. They were arrested on Wednesday,
August 28, 2024 at Gimbiya Street, Garki and Apo legislative quarters.
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