The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday said it has arraigned an information and communication technology consultant, Umar Abdullahi, over allegations of fraud and money laundering totalling N131.8 million and $200,000
The arraignment took place on Monday, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Abdullahi faces four counts related to his alleged financial misconduct, including obtaining money by false pretence, advance fee fraud, and money laundering, which occurred between June and August 2024.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Umar Abdullahi, sometime between July 2024 and August 2024, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did accept and transact cash payment of $200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars) for allotment of shares in Multi Access Controls Limited, in excess of the Ten Million Naira threshold, without transacting through a financial institution.”
Another reads: “That you, Umar Abdullahi, sometime in June 2024, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N104,980,000.00 (One Hundred and Four Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira) into Account Number: 2266267081, domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc, from Aura Integrated Energy Resources Limited under the false pretence that the money was for procurement of telecommunication equipment and logistics for Nigerian Communications Commission staff, a pretence you knew to be false.”
According to EFCC, the offences contravene Section 2 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, Section 1 (1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.
He pleaded “not guilty” to all charges.
The case stems from a petition filed by Alhaji Shehu Badamosi with the EFCC’s Ilorin Zonal Directorate.
Badamosi alleged that Abdullahi approached him, claiming to have secured a contract with the NCC and requiring financing of N131.8 million and $200,000 for its execution. After receiving the funds,
Abdullahi reportedly became uncommunicative, leaving Badamosi’s efforts to recover the money unsuccessful.
Prosecution counsel Cosmas Ugwu requested that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial, citing Abdullahi’s earlier breach of an administrative bail granted by the EFCC.
The defence counsel, Agbonlahor, however, pleaded with the court for the defendant to be remanded in EFCC’s custody.
Justice Nwite, after listening to both counsel, ordered that Abdullahi be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, and adjourned the case till September 8, 2025 for commencement of trial.
