EFCC Charges Couple with N1.09bn Fraud in Ado-Ekiti

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a couple in the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on charges of a N1.09 billion contract scam. The Ilorin zonal director of the EFCC brought the case before Justice Abubakar Usman, presenting six counts related to obtaining money under false pretenses and retaining proceeds of crime.

The defendants allegedly conspired to defraud a widow, Anazia Kenechukwu, in connection with a road contract that was purportedly awarded by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission. It is alleged that a total sum of N1,980,000,000.00 was paid into the first defendant's account at Access Bank PLC.

The funds were reportedly diverted to acquire properties in Ado-Ekiti, including a lounge and a four-bedroom bungalow. The EFCC has secured an interim order to seize the properties believed to be proceeds of the alleged crime.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the court has adjourned further hearings.