The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two suspects for allegedly collecting N603.4 million from a woman under the pretext of securing her appointment as Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
The defendants, Gidado Ibrahim and Halimat Adenike Tejusho—who is currently at large—were brought before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama on Monday on an amended six-count charge bordering on fraud and obtaining money by false pretence.
According to the charge, the suspects allegedly received the funds from Oluseye Yomi-Sholoye between August and October 2024, claiming they could facilitate her appointment to the top NNPC position.
Prosecutors also accused Ibrahim of using a forged document titled “Presidential Villa State House, Office of the National Security Adviser” to support the alleged claim.
One of the charges states that the defendants knowingly obtained the money through false representation, an offence punishable under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. Another count accuses Ibrahim of presenting a forged document as genuine, contrary to the Penal Code.
Ibrahim pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following the plea, prosecution counsel Y. Tarfa asked the court to set a trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility. Defence counsel B. B. Alhaji urged the court to allow Ibrahim remain in EFCC custody, citing health concerns, pending a decision on his bail application.
Justice H. Muazu adjourned the case to February 17, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and ordered Ibrahim’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
