Two Suspects Charged with Blackmailing EFCC Chairman
Abuja, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially charged two individuals, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, for allegedly impersonating and attempting to extort the agency’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede. The arraignment took place on Wednesday before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja.
According to the EFCC, the suspects contacted Mohammed Bello-Koko, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, falsely claiming to have insider information regarding a fabricated EFCC investigation into him. The agency reported that they demanded $1 million, assuring Bello-Koko that the EFCC Chairman would assist him in escaping any legal repercussions.
Dele Oyewale, head of media and publicity for the EFCC, confirmed that the agency has filed four charges against Joshua and Hashim for impersonation and attempted fraud. One of the charges states, “That you, Ojobo Joshua (also known as PA to the Chairman EFCC) and Aliyu Hashim, on or around September 28, 2024, in Abuja, intended to defraud Mohammed Bello-Koko by attempting to acquire $700,000 (Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) through false pretenses. You misrepresented to him that there was an ongoing EFCC petition against him, which you could persuade the Executive Chairman to dismiss.” This offense is in violation of Section 8(b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.
After the charges were read, both defendants pleaded not guilty. In light of their pleas, EFCC counsel Elizabeth Alabi requested that the court remand the defendants in custody until the trial begins. “Given their not guilty pleas, we seek a date to start presenting our witnesses and request that the defendants be held in custody,” she stated.
Obinna S. Nwosu, representing Ojobo Joshua, asked for his client’s release on liberal bail terms, while Peter Oriobe, counsel for Aliyu Hashim, made an oral request for bail. Justice Onwuebuzie, however, instructed Oriobe to submit a formal bail application in writing.
Alabi opposed the bail requests, referring to a 22-paragraph counter-affidavit and Exhibit EFCC 1, and urged the court to deny bail while requesting an expedited hearing of the case. Upon review, Justice Onwuebuzie granted bail to Joshua set at N100 million, requiring two sureties in the same amount. These sureties must be civil servants of at least level 16 and are also required to provide their appointment and promotion letters, valid identification, and a written commitment to ensure the defendant’s presence at all court hearings. Additionally, Joshua must surrender his international passport to the court.
The court has ordered both defendants to remain at Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are satisfied. The hearing for the second defendant’s bail application has been scheduled for November 18, 2024.
Join our Channel...