Maiduguri Court Jails One Fraudster For N13m Fraud

Justice Mohammed Maina of the Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri, on Wednesday April, 15, 2026 convicted and sentenced Akeem Oriade Adeyinka to various jail terms for obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N13,000,000( Thirteen Million Naira).

The convict was arraigned on Wednesday, September 23, 2025 by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on two-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence and criminal misappropriation to the tune of N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira) and N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) respectively.

Count one reads: “That you, Akeem Oriade Adeyinka with National Identification Number 44795766679 sometimes in 2024 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did obtain the gross sum of N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira) from Oseni Ibrahim Alani purportedly as money for financing a contract a claimed which you knew to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences, Act 2006 and Punishable under section (3) of the same Act.”

Another count reads: “That you, Akeem Oriade Adeyinka on or about June, 2024 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud obtain the aggregate sum of N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) from Haruna Malim under the false pretence that same is meant for an investment into the business of purchase and supply of counting machine (aka dropper) and Automated Teller Machine parts in order to execute a contract you secured in Cameroon, a representation which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences, Act 2006 and Punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him, prompting prosecution counsel, S.O Saka and A. D Abdulmalik to present witnesses and tendered several documents before the court in order to prove their cases.

Thereafter, Justice Maina convicted and sentenced Adeyinka on count one to three years imprisonment with an option of N300, 000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira). He was also ordered to pay the sum of N3, 000,000 (Three Million Naira) to the petitioner or in default to serve additional seven years imprisonment.

On count two, Adeyinka was sentenced to three years imprisonment with an option of N100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira).

The judge further ordered the convict to pay the sum of N10, 000,000 (Ten Million Naira) to the petitioner or in default to serve 10 years imprisonment. The sentence runs consecutively.

The convict’s journey to the Correctional facility started when he obtained and misappropriated the sum of N13million from two petitioners for the purchase and supply of Automated Teller Machines and for financing a contract. He neither delivered the items for which he obtained money nor returned the money to the petitioners.

In another development, the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of EFCC, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, arranged one Alhaji Abdullahi Hamman before Justice Muhammad Maina of the Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri.

The defendant was arraigned on a two -count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretense to the tune of N 2,600,000 (Two Million Six Hundred Thousand Naira).

Jail

Count one of the charges read: ” That you Abdullahi Hamman between the period of May, 2021 to January, 2023 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud obtained the aggregate sum of N 2,600,000 (Two Million Six Hundred Thousand Naira) from John Haruna, under the false pretense that same is meant for the purchase of two (2) plots of land, plot number 19 and 20 measuring 900 square metres situated and Iaying at Galaxy, behind 1000 Housing Estate Maiduguri, Borno State purportedly belonging to you, a representation which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) and punishable under Section 1 (13) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud related offences Act, 2006.”

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him by the EFCC. Thereafter, prosecution counsel S.O Saka prayed for a hearing date and to remand the defendant in a correctional facility.

The defence counsel U. B Modu made an oral bail application on behalf of the defendant. Thereafter, Justice Maina granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N10, 000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) with two sureties.

The judge further ordered that one of the sureties must be a relative to the defendant and the other must have a landed property situated in the Maiduguri metropolitan area.

The matter was adjourned till April 26, 2026 for commencement of hearing while the defendant was remanded in Maiduguri Maximum Facility.

ICPC On El-Rufai Trial: Courts Adjourn Bail Ruling, Grant Conditional Bail In Parallel Proceedings

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) wishes to update the public on developments in the ongoing trial of former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, in separate proceedings before the Kaduna State High Court and the Federal High Court, Kaduna.

The cases stem from a protracted investigation by the Commission into the defendant’s tenure as Governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, bordering on allegations of abuse of office, fraud, and money laundering.

Mallam El-Rufai was arrested by the Commission on or about 18th February 2026.

Following the conclusion of investigations, the Commission filed a 10-count charge against Mallam El-Rufai and Mr. Joel Adoga before Honourable Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Kaduna.

The charges relate to alleged conversion and possession of proceeds of corruption, as well as money laundering offences contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and other relevant laws.

Specifically, the prosecution alleges, among others, that the defendant received the sum of ₦289,826,998.12 as severance allowance—significantly exceeding his lawful entitlement of ₦20,013,245—between 2020 and 2023.

He is also alleged to have received the sum of $797,900, deposited into his domiciliary account with Guaranty Trust Bank, from various individuals, with knowledge that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

The Commission further alleges that the defendant conspired with the second defendant, Mr. Joel Adoga, to disguise the origin of $10,000 in July 2019.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Similarly, the Commission arraigned Mallam El-Rufai before the Kaduna State High Court on an amended 9-count charge on 13th April 2026. The charges border on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferment of undue advantage, contrary to the provisions of the ICPC Act, Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, Kaduna State Penal Code, and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law.

On Tuesday at the Kaduna State High Court, the presiding judge, Honourable Justice Darius Khobo, informed the court that the ruling on the defendant’s bail application was not ready, citing the inability to conclude the writing of the decision. The matter was consequently adjourned to Tuesday, 21st April 2026, for the delivery of the ruling.

The court further ordered that the defendant remain in the custody of the Commission pending the determination of the bail application.

In a related development, the Federal High Court, Kaduna has granted bail to Mallam El-Rufai in the sum of ₦200 million and two sureties in like sum.

The court directed that one of the sureties must be a resident in Kaduna State with a property worth 200 million and a verified CofO while the second surety must be a well-respected elder, certified by the elders council.

It was further ruled that the defendant must deposit his international passport to the Registrar of the court and also sign an undertaking not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.

Other conditions include reporting to the Commission’s headquarters every first Monday of the month and also being restricted to live in a specific residence of his. The judge held that if Malam El-Rufai desires to change his residence, a 72-hour notice should be given to the court prior to any change of residence.

The court further ordered that the first defendant remain in the custody of the Commission pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.

El-Rufai

The trial judge further adopted the administrative bail granted to the second defendant, Mr. Joel Adoga.

The Commission reiterates its commitment to due process and the rule of law and assures the public that the prosecution of the case is being conducted diligently and in accordance with established legal procedures.

The ICPC will continue to keep the public informed of significant developments as proceedings progress in both courts.

J. Okor Odey
Head, Media & Public Communications, ICPC.

EFCC Presents Second Witness Against Vessel, Captain, Others In Alleged Theft Of 25,354,000L Of PMS

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, presented its second prosecution witness, PW2, in the ongoing trial of a vessel, MT Ostria, and three others over an alleged theft of 25,354,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Retail Limited, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

The defendants, MT Ostria, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin and Vincent Wayas, were arraigned by the EFCC on October 29, 2025, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing, an offence contrary to Sections 411 and 280, and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the witness, who is a representative of NNPC, testified on the transactions involving MT Ostria and the events that led to the EFCC’s investigation.

Led in evidence by the prosecution witness, Bilikisu Buhari, the PW2 told the court that operational concerns arose when D. Torros Shipping Limited, the receiving terminal, called for a suspension of discharge activities.

“From our operational perspective, we were worried about any delay that could cause additional cost on the operation. We were informed by Torros that the suspension was due to variations in quantities between the ship’s discharge figure and Torros’ received figure,” he said.

He also stated that upon raising the alarm, Torros notified the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, of the discrepancy.

According to him, the NMDPRA escalated the matter to relevant government agencies, including the Department of State Services, DSS.

The witness, who said Torros also reported the case to the EFCC, further stated that “ I was invited by the EFCC. I was interviewed and I wrote a statement regarding the transaction at the time. We also submitted some documents to the EFCC with respect to the operation,”.

He confirmed that the documents were generated using his company’s laptop and printer, which were in good condition at the time.

The prosecution counsel, Buhari , tendered the documents, and they were admitted in evidence by the court.

Explaining the relationship between the NNPC subsidiaries, the witness said there was an internal framework governing transactions among NNPC Retail, NNPC Trading, and NNPC Shipping.

Referring to Exhibit P4, the Credit Sales Invoice issued to NNPC Retail Limited, he identified NNPC Retail as “the ultimate owner of the petroleum products allegedly stolen.”

The document, he noted, confirmed receipt and was signed by NNPC Trading for the sale of about 20.3 million litres of PMS through MT Ostria, which was the vessel nominated by NNPC Retail from the mother vessel, MT Northern Light.

“This document was issued as part of the NNPC Retail and Trading agreement framework, which requires that requests for product or cargo be made through a company portal where sales quotations are generated.

EFCC

“This Credit Sales Invoice carries two sales quotation numbers also called PFI (Pro Forma Invoice) numbers: 20001584 and 20001601. These numbers are to be indicated on the commercial documents relating to this operation.”

He added that the documents established the commercial chain of the transaction and showed NNPC Retail Limited as the buyer of the cargo, in line with the companies’ internal framework.

Justice Dada adjourned the matter till Wednesday, April 15, 2026 for continuation of cross- examination.