EFCC Arraigns Onajefe For Alleged ₦37.4m Fraud In Lagos

EFCC Arraigns Onajefe for Alleged ₦37.4m Fraud in Lagos. The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, February 9, 2026, arraigned one Otobor Geoffrey Onajefe on a two-count charge bordering an alleged conspiracy and stealing to the tune of ₦37,440,000.00 (Thirty-Seven Million, Four Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira) before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

Count one reads: “Otobor Geoffrey Onajefe and Philip Otahre Onobrakpe (at large), sometime in 2023 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired to defraud Omotayo Olumide Oyebanji and Mr. Ernest Adeii the sum of ₦37,440,000.00 (Thirty-Seven Million, Four Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira).”

Count two reads: “ Otobor Geoffrey Onajefe and Philip Otahre Onobrakpe (at large), sometime in 2023 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted for their own use the sum of ₦37,440,000.00 (Thirty-Seven Million, Four Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira) belonging to Omotayo Olumide Oyebanji.”

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.

Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, T. J. Banjo, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility.

The defence counsel, S.Danni, told the court about a bail application dated February 6, 2026 and filed on the same day.

He also told the court that the application had been served on the prosecution.

He, therefore, sought the court’s permission to move the application and also requested a short adjournment date at the court’s convenience.

EFCC

The prosecution counsel, however, opposed the bail application, saying, “ My lord, though the charge had been filed earlier, the bail application was only served that morning.”

He also told the court that the prosecution would file a reply on points of law, while noting the difficulty previously encountered in securing the defendant’s appearance for his arraignment.

After listening to both parties, Justice Dada adjourned the matter till February 26, 2026, for hearing and ordered that the defendant be remanded in a Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

EFCC Arraigns Gidado Ibrahim, Halimat Adenike Tejusho For Alleged N600m NNPC Job Fraud

EFCC arraigns Gidado Ibrahim, Halimat Adenike Tejusho for alleged N600m NNPC job fraud. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, February 9, 2026 arraigned Gidado Ibrahim and Halimat Adenike Tejusho(at large) before Justice H. Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja for an alleged N600m job scam

They were arraigned on an amended six count charge bordering on fraud, obtaining under false pretence and forgery to the tune to N603, 400,000.00. (Six Hundred and Three Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira).

At Monday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel Y. Tarfa drew the attention of the court to an amended six count charge, urging the court to allow the defendant to take his plea.

Count one of the charge reads: That you GIDADO IBRAHIM and HALIMAT ADENIKE TEJUSHO O (now at large) between August 2024 to October 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court obtained the sum of N603, 400,000.00. (Six Hundred and Three Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) from OLUSEYE YOMI – SHOLOYE under the false pretence that you will facilitate her appointment as the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

Count two of the charge also reads “That you, GIDADO IBRAHIM sometime in August, 2024 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court did use as genuine a forged document titled “Presidential Villa State House, OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER” when you knew or had reason to believe it to be forged and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 of the Penal Code Law and Punishable under Section 364 of the same Law.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the six-count charges when they were read to him.

EFCC Arraigns Gidado Ibrahim

In view of his not guilty plea, counsel to the prosecution, Tarfa asked the court for a trial date and remand of the defendant in a Correctional Center.

However, counsel to the defendant, B. B Alhaji informed the court of his application for bail, adding that although the application was not ripe for hearing, the defendant should be remanded in EFCC custody considering his health status pending the date for hearing and ruling on the bail application.

Justice Muazu adjourned the matter to February 17, 2026 for hearing of application while ordering the defendant to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Facility.

FG To Begins Implementation Of Renegotiated ASUU Agreement

FG to begins implementation of renegotiated ASUU agreement. Mr Alausa reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of academic staff.

The federal government has begun implementing key welfare components of its renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The minister of education, Tunji Alausa, in a directive issued to vice-chancellors of federal universities on Monday, announced a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for ASUU members, effective from January 1, 2026.
Mr Alausa reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of academic staff and the stability of the university system.

He said some federal universities had already reflected the increase in salary payments.
He directed all federal universities to ensure full compliance, integrating the approved increment into their payroll structures so all eligible academic staff benefit.

ASUU

The minister also stressed strict adherence to the implementation of the Consolidated Tools Allowance (CATA), noting that its payment has been captured and circularised by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and included in the 2026 budget.
He urged university management to use available resources to ensure prompt payment of CATA in line with NSIWC guidelines.

Mr Alausa said timely implementation of both the CAA increase and CATA would strengthen the academic environment, enhance staff morale, and improve teaching, research, and learning outcomes.

He reiterated the federal government’s resolve to honour agreements with education stakeholders and remain committed to constructive engagement, transparency, industrial harmony, and continuous improvement of quality education in Nigeria.