EFCC Arraigns Aminu Datti Ahmed for Alleged N15m Fraud in Abuja

The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday July 30, 2026, arraigned one Aminu Datti Ahmed before Justice M.S. Idris of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi, Abuja for fraud.
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He was arraigned on a one-count charge, bordering on misappropriation of funds to the tune of N15 million.

The charge reads: “That you, Aminu Datti Ahmed and Blackrock Apartments & Suites Limited, sometime in 2025 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, dishonestly converted to your personal use the sum of N15, 000, 000.00 (Fifteen Million Naira, only), which was mistakenly credited to Taj Bank account, with account No. 0000251807 belonging to Aminu Datti Ahmed, CEO of Blackrock Apartments & Suites Limited which the said sum was meant to be credited to Braverock Investment Limited, as part of scheduled payments for a property being acquired through the said firm and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Law, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law.”

He pleaded not guilty to the charge, following which prosecuting counsel N.M. Tertsua asked the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in a Correctional centre, while the defence counsel, Isyaku Musa, applied for his bail, which was not opposed to by the prosecution.

EFCC

Justice Idris granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N10 million with two sureties, one of whom must be a businessman with business certificate, who must swear to an affidavit on the bail bond.

The matter was adjourned till October 21, 2026, for commencement of trial.
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EFCC Boss Cautions Public Officials against Fraudulent Practices

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, on Thursday, July 30, 2026, cautioned public officials across the country against fraudulent practices, stressing that public service is a responsibility to protect public resources rather than an opportunity for self-enrichment and compromises.
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He gave the caution in Abuja on Wednesday, July 30, 2026 while speaking at a two-day induction programme organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms.

The programme, themed “Institutional Governance and Regulatory Compliance,” was organised for CEO, Chairman and Members of the Governing Board of South-South Development Commission, SSDC.

Speaking on “The Role of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Improving Accountability in the Public Service,” the EFCC’s boss said accountability required that public resources be managed ethically, efficiently and in the best interest of citizens. He, however, noted that corruption has continued to frustrate prudent management of government resources in Nigeria.

“Annual losses to corruption in Nigeria’s Public Service run into billions of naira as resources for the provision of physical infrastructure and social services are often converted to private use by public servants”, he said.

Olukoyede identified common forms of corruption in the public service to include outright stealing from the treasury, diversion of public funds, bribery and kickbacks, misappropriation of funds, procurement and contract fraud, payroll and pension fraud, as well as duty tour allowance fraud.

Drawing from his experience in regulatory compliance, he described contract fraud as the most prevalent form of corruption in the public sector. “From my experience in regulatory compliance, by far the most common form of corruption within the public service space is contract fraud, where those who lead government establishments set out to enrich themselves by rigging the procurement process.”

According to him, contract fraud often manifests through contract splitting to evade approval limits, bid manipulation in favour of preferred contractors or entities in which public officials have interests, the award of contracts to unqualified companies, and payments for poorly executed or unexecuted contracts.

Recalling the rationale for the establishment of the EFCC, Olukoyede said the Commission came to life in 2003 owing to the need to combat corruption as well as economic and financial crimes in both the public and private sectors through investigations, prosecutions, asset recovery and public education.

He pointed at limited resources and manpower, inadequate public support, widespread cynicism, delays in prosecuting high-profile corruption cases, and persistent but largely unsubstantiated allegations of selective investigations, as some of the challenges confronting the anti-corruption fight.

Addressing participants directly, the anti-graft czar urged them to resist the temptation of viewing their appointments as opportunities to enrich themselves. “I imagine that you all have been receiving tons of congratulatory messages on your appointment, and those close to you would have reminded you that this is an opportunity to grab a slice of the proverbial national cake. Please, tread with caution. Public service is not an invitation to loot the treasury.”

He advised the officials to familiarise themselves with the Financial Regulations, Public Service Rules and the Procurement Act, ensuring strict compliance with all extant regulations to avoid investigations and prosecution for corruption-related offences.

Olukoyede further warned them against engaging in businesses incompatible with public office, operating foreign bank accounts, seeking contracts from the institutions they serve either directly or through proxies, and conducting financial transactions outside recognised financial institutions.

EFCC

“As a member of the SSDC, familiarise yourself with the Procurement Act and be guided. You should not be jostling for contracts from the SSDC either directly or through fronts,” he said. He also encouraged the officials to maintain proper records of all financial transactions and exercise caution before endorsing official documents.

“Before you sign that document, study it. Your signature is your name and integrity. Guard it,” he said.
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When The South-East is Secure, Nigeria is Stronger, Says Information Minister

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said that lasting peace and security in the South-East are critical to Nigeria’s unity, economic growth and national development.
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The Minister stated this on Thursday at the 2026 South-East Regional Security Summit held in Umuahia, Abia State.

“When the South-East is secure, Nigeria is stronger. When every region enjoys peace, our democracy flourishes. And when we stand together as one people, united by a common destiny, no force can diminish the promise of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the Minister said.

Speaking on the theme, “Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening Security and Regional Stability,” Idris said security requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving governments, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society and citizens.

He reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to protecting lives and property through improved intelligence sharing, stronger inter-agency coordination, better equipment for security agencies and international partnerships. “The Federal Government remains fully committed to ensuring that every community across the South-East enjoys lasting peace and security. Security is the foundation for investment, education, agriculture and economic prosperity,” he said.

The Minister also highlighted ongoing investments in infrastructure, youth empowerment, education, digital skills and support for small businesses, describing them as critical components of the administration’s security strategy.

He urged citizens to reject misinformation and support efforts to strengthen grassroots policing through ongoing constitutional reforms on State Police. “Peace is more than the absence of conflict. It is the presence of justice, opportunity, inclusion and hope. Together, we must reject division and work to build communities founded on trust and shared prosperity,” Idris stated.

Delivering the goodwill message of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, said the National Assembly remains committed to providing the legislative support required to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and promote lasting peace across the country.

He stressed that addressing insecurity requires strong partnerships among government, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society and citizens. “No nation has ever secured itself through isolated efforts; security succeeds where partnerships flourish,” he said, adding that the Senate would continue to support initiatives that enhance national unity, economic development and regional stability.

Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, called for stronger regional cooperation and institutional reforms to address evolving security challenges in the South-East. “The time has come to move from dialogue to implementation. Security cannot be achieved through force alone; it requires collaboration, community trust and collective responsibility,” Kalu said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the House of Representatives to supporting legislative and constitutional reforms that will strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, described security as the bedrock of development and prosperity, saying no meaningful progress can be achieved in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. “We cannot afford to surrender this great land and its people to the forces of insecurity. Security is the foundation upon which all our hopes for development and prosperity rest,” Governor Otti said.

He also emphasised the need to create economic opportunities for young people, strengthen intelligence sharing and tackle the root causes of crime to consolidate peace and promote regional development.

The Honourable Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa (Rtd), said the Federal Government remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians through sustained investments in the Armed Forces and other security agencies. “Security is not solely the responsibility of the Armed Forces or the Police; it is a shared responsibility that requires the collective commitment of government, communities and every patriotic citizen,” General Musa said.

He added that enhanced training, modern equipment, improved intelligence gathering and stronger inter-agency collaboration are strengthening the nation’s security response.

Information Minister

Among those in attendance were the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu; the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti; representatives of the Governors of Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo States; the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd); traditional rulers, religious leaders, heads of security agencies, lawmakers, civil society organisations, and other distinguished stakeholders from across the South-East.

Rabiu Ibrahim MNIPR
Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation

Thursday, 30 July, 2026
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