EFCC arraigns ICT consultant for alleged N131.8m, $200,000 fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced on Tuesday that it has arraigned an information and communication technology consultant, Umar Abdullahi, on charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to N131.8 million and $200,000.

The arraignment was conducted on Monday in the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, before Justice Emeka Nwite.

Abdullahi has been charged with four counts pertaining to his alleged financial improprieties. These charges include obtaining money under false pretenses, advance fee fraud, and money laundering, with the alleged offenses occurring between June and August 2024.

One of the charges states: “That you, Umar Abdullahi, during the period between July 2024 and August 2024, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did accept and transact cash payment of $200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars) for the allotment of shares in Multi Access Controls Limited, exceeding the Ten Million Naira threshold, without the transaction being conducted through a financial institution.”

Another charge asserts: “That you, Umar Abdullahi, in June 2024, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with the intent to defraud, did receive the sum of N104,980,000.00 (One Hundred and Four Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira) into Account Number: 2266267081, held with Zenith Bank Plc, from Aura Integrated Energy Resources Limited under the false pretenses that the funds were designated for the procurement of telecommunication equipment and logistics for Nigerian Communications Commission personnel, a claim you knew to be false.”

The EFCC indicates that these offenses violate Section 2 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as Section 1 (1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.

Mr. Abdullahi entered a plea of “not guilty” to all charges.

This case originates from a petition filed by Alhaji Shehu Badamosi with the EFCC’s Ilorin Zonal Directorate. Badamosi alleged that Abdullahi approached him claiming to have secured a contract with the Nigerian Communications Commission and requested financing of N131.8 million and $200,000 for its execution. Following the provision of these funds, Abdullahi reportedly ceased communication, rendering Badamosi’s attempts to recover the funds unsuccessful.

Prosecution counsel Cosmas Ugwu requested that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial, citing a prior breach of administrative bail granted by the EFCC. In contrast, the defense counsel, Agbonlahor, requested that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody.

After considering the arguments presented by both counsels, Justice Nwite ordered that Abdullahi be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, and adjourned the case until September 8, 2025, for the commencement of the trial.