ALLEGED N1.09BN FRAUD: EFCC ARRAIGNS COUPLE IN ADO-EKITI

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a couple, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo and his wife, Awolegan Omolola Omotola, before the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti over an alleged ₦1.09bn contract fraud.

The defendants, who were brought before Justice Abubakar Usman by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, are facing a six-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretences and retention of proceeds of crime.

According to a statement posted on the commission’s X handle on Monday, the couple allegedly conspired to defraud a widow, Anazia Kenechukwu, who reported the case to the EFCC after a failed road construction deal.

Court documents indicated that the first defendant allegedly convinced the complainant to finance a road project said to have been awarded to him by the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

The petition further alleged that about ₦1.98bn was paid into the first defendant’s account with Access Bank Plc under the arrangement.

Investigators told the court that the funds were subsequently diverted and used to acquire properties in Ado-Ekiti, including a lounge and a four-bedroom bungalow.

The EFCC also confirmed that it had obtained an interim forfeiture order on the properties suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court subsequently adjourned the matter for further hearing.