Two Men Charged for $700,000 EFCC Impersonation Scheme

Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim appeared in the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, facing charges of conspiracy and impersonation. They are accused of demanding $700,000 from Mohammed Bello Koko, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), while posing as aides of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman.

The prosecution, led by Akeem Lasisi, revealed that the suspects were arrested during an undercover operation after they approached Koko, claiming that the EFCC was investigating him. Initially, they demanded $1 million but negotiated down to $700,000.

The undercover operation involved maintaining contact with the suspects and arranging a meeting for the money exchange at a filling station along Airport Road, Abuja. During the operation, Hashim was arrested while receiving a bag containing dummy U.S. dollar notes.

The court granted an adjournment until July 15-16 to allow the prosecution to tender evidence, including the recovered vehicle and video recordings.