EFCC arraigns 2 for alleged €49m fraud against FBN

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned Abel Sokari and Nkeiruka Chukwuma, before an Ikeja Special Offences Court for allegedly attempting to fraudulently obtain €49 million from First Bank of Nigeria (FBN).

Sokari and Chukwuma were arraigned alongside a company, Zakah Global Investment Ltd., on a six-count charge bordering on attempted fraud, possession of fraudulent documents and forgery.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following their plea, EFCC counsel, Ms Hanatu Kofarnaisa, requested the court to fix a trial date.

She also urged the court to remand the defendants in custody pending the commencement of trial.

However, counsel to the first and second defendants, Mr Clement Onwenwnor (SAN) and Mr Laolu Owolabi (SAN), informed the court of their pending bail applications and urged the court to grant bail to the defendants on liberal terms.

The counsel further undertook to take custody of the defendants pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

Justice Mojisola Dada, thereafter granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N500,000 each, with one surety each in like sum.

Dada stated that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

She added that the bail conditions must be perfected within one month.

The court also temporarily released the defendants to their respective counsel, pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

In one of the counts, the EFCC alleged that on May 19, the defendants attempted to fraudulently obtain €49 million from FBN by falsely claiming Bayan Investment Bank transferred the funds into Zakah Global Investment Ltd.’s account.

The anti-graft agency also alleged that in April 2024, the defendants possessed a letter purportedly from Steven H. Sado, P.C., Donald Trump’s lead defence counsel, which they knew to be a false representation.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene Sections 1(1)(a), 1(3), 8(a), and 6(1)(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 365 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The court adjourned the case until Oct. 29 for trial.