EFCC Arraigns NRC Officials Over N2.04bn Fraud Charges

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three senior officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) over allegations of fraud and unlawful enrichment totaling N2.04 billion. The officials include Felix Njoku, former Director of Finance; Benjamin Chinwuba Iloanusi, current Director of Procurement; and Och Jerri Ogb Inalegwu, current Director of Mechanical.

Upon arraignment, all three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecuting counsel, Abba Muhammad SAN, requested a trial date while the defendants were remanded pending trial.

The defense counsel, Mordecai Adejo, urged the court to allow the defendants to continue enjoying administrative bail that had been previously granted. Additionally, the EFCC is set to arraign a former Managing Director of NRC, Fidat Edetanl, for alleged money laundering involving N385,000 and N165.5 million, with Edetanl facing seven counts related to abuse of office and unlawful enrichment.