Crime
How N46.5m Was Transferred To American International School: Witness In Alleged ₦80.2bn Kogi Fraud
How N46.5m Was Transferred To American International School: Witness In Alleged ₦80.2bn Kogi Fraud
How N46.5m was transferred to American International School: Witness in alleged ₦80.2bn Kogi fraud. The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Thursday, February 5, 2026, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the Eight Prosecution Witness, PW8, Gabriel Ochoche, testifying how the sum of N46,505,000( Forty Six Million, Five Hundred and Five Thousand Naira) was transferred into the account of American International School
Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of ₦80,246,470,088.88.
The prosecution called Prosecution Witness 8 (PW8), Gabriel Ochoche, a compliance officer with First City Monument Bank (FCMB), who testified pursuant to a subpoena.
Led in evidence by Olukayode Enitan, SAN, the subpoena was tendered without objection from the defence and was admitted by the court as Exhibit 36.
PW8 told the court that among several payments there were payments to educational institutions, including a ₦30 million transfer on November 1, 2021, to American International School / Abdul Bashir, as well as another transfer of ₦16,505,400 to American International School.
PW8 also confirmed that he was in court with the statement of account, certificate of compliance and account opening documents of Kunfayakun Global Limited, Account No: 7819613011, covering transactions from June 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022. The documents were admitted in evidence as Exhibit 37 without objection.
When asked to confirm the period covered, the witness stated: “The period covered is from June 29, 2021, to December 31, 2024.”
Explaining the structure of the statement of account, PW8 said it contains seven columns, namely: date, reference, description, value date, deposit, withdrawal and balance.
Reading from Exhibit 37, PW8 identified several major transactions, including an NIP transfer of ₦700 million from Keyless Nature Limited on December 15, 2021, and an RTGS inflow of ₦400 million on December 17, 2021, from Access Bank, by order of the same company. He explained that RTGS is a transfer carried out by one bank on behalf of a customer.
On November 2, 2021, PW8 confirmed multiple inflows from Gadonkaya Global Concept into Kunfayakun’s account—₦10 million, ₦10 million and ₦8.96 million—alongside another outflow of ₦34,506,600 to American School and China Payment / Abdul Bashir.
PW8 also told the court that on February 18, 2022, there were six separate NIP transfers of ₦100 million each from Ejadams Essence Limited, totaling ₦600 million.
Asked to confirm the total inflow, the witness said: “Yes, my lord, I confirm that ₦600 million was received from Ejadams Essence Limited.”
He further identified an RTGS inflow of ₦325 million on February 21, 2022, with a value date of February 18, 2022, from Access Bank, by order of Ejadams.
Earlier in the proceedings, Prosecution Witness 7 (PW7), Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank, continued his testimony under cross-examination.
Defence counsel drew his attention to Exhibit 33(8), particularly an entry of June 22, 2022, which the witness confirmed was an outflow of ₦20 million for the supply of educational materials. When asked if it was a cash withdrawal, Egoro replied:
“No, my lord.”
He also confirmed that he could not identify the beneficiary from the document.
Egoro acknowledged multiple cash withdrawals made by Yakubu Siyaka between January 9, 2019, and December 30, 2022, totaling over ₦552 million.
Explaining the bank’s obligations, he said: “The customer can use his money as he likes; however, the bank has a reporting obligation where transactions do not fit the customer’s profile or fall under money laundering typologies.”
Fraud
He further confirmed that Access Bank filed a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), but stated that by law, its contents could not be disclosed in court.
When defence counsel J.B Daudu SAN attempted to question the witness on the contents of the STR, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, objected, arguing that questioning a document not before the court contravened the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
Justice Nwite upheld the objection, ruling that: “Counsel cannot ask questions on the contents of a document not before the court.”
Following the rectification of payment receipts, the Certified True Copy (CTC) of proceedings from Justice Obiora Egwuatu’s court dated May 12, 2025, was admitted in evidence as Exhibit 35(D2) without objection.
Additional documents admitted included: Exhibit 34(1): Kogi State Government House account opening package, exhibit 34(2): Kogi State Government House Administration account and exhibit 33(6): E-Traders International Limited account opening package and statement of account.
PW7 confirmed signatories, transaction patterns and Access Bank’s compliance oversight across its branches.
With no re-examination by the prosecution, Justice Nwite discharged PW7 from the witness box and adjourned the matter to March 3 and March 9, 2026, for continuation of trial.
EFCC Arraigns former University VC Professor Bichi for N19.7m Fraud in Katsina
The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, February 5 , 2026 arraigned a former Vice chancellor of the Federal University Dutsinma, Professor Armayau Hamisu Bichi before Honourable Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar of the Katsina State High Court on a five count charge of bribery to the tune of N19,700,000 (Nineteen Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira only) Bichi was arraigned alongside two others, Lawal Tukur Mani and Aliyu Lawal Jari. The duo he allegedly used to receive the said bribes.
One of the charges read “That you Armaya’u Hamisu Bichi sometimes in July 2023 at Katsina within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, while being a public servant; Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Dutsinma did obtain a bribe in the sum of N5, 000, 000.00 (Five Million Naira only) from one Theophilus llechukwu of Goezek International Agency Nigeria Limited as a reward for the award of contracts for the supply of medical equipment and furnishing of Laboratory at the Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, the money which you caused to be paid into the Access Bank account number 152610172 belonging to Aliyu Lawal Jari and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 79 (a). (b) & (i) of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021.
The first defendant, Bichi allegedly obtained the bribes through the second and third defendants from the petitioners as a kickback for various contracts awarded to them by the Federal University Dutsinma during his tenure as Vice Chancellor of the Institution.
EFCC
All the defendants pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.
In view of their pleas, counsel to the prosecution, Salihu Sani, prayed the court for a trial date to enable the prosecution to assemble witnesses and prove their case.
Defence counsel, A. L Yusuf and Raphael Henry each moved a bail application praying the court to admit their clients to bail.
Consequently, Justice Abubabakar granted each defendant bail in the sum of N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) and one surety in like sum.
He subsequently adjourned the matter to March 12, 2026 for the commencement of trial.
ICPC Kano, NIS Reinforce Collaborative Framework To Strengthening Alliance Against Graft
ICPC Kano, NIS reinforce collaborative framework to strengthening alliance against graft. The Kano State Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Ahmad Muhammad Wada, Esq., received the Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kano Command, Tahir Ahmad Lawan, on a formal courtesy visit.
The meeting, held on the 4th of February 2026, was convened to fortify institutional collaboration in the pursuit of transparent and efficient public service delivery for the nation.
In his opening remarks, Comptroller Tahir Ahmad Lawan articulated the primary objective of the engagement: to identify and solidify key areas of partnership with the ICPC. He elaborated that the NIS has undertaken significant modernisation initiatives to enhance its operational effectiveness. These innovations include the strategic deployment of technology to bolster border security, the installation of automated border control gates, and the streamlined Diaspora Passport Initiative, which simplifies renewal procedures for Nigerians abroad.
Speaking further, Comptroller Lawan emphasised that these technological advancements serve a dual purpose: to facilitate seamless service delivery and to systematically identify and monitor corruption-prone activities within the service. He affirmed the NIS’s steadfast commitment to partnering with the Commission, aiming to harmonise strategic objectives, ensure strict ethical and legal compliance, and thereby enhance both organisational efficiency and public trust.
The Comptroller also commended the diligent work of the NIS’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), noting its vital role in fostering internal accountability and integrity. This internal mechanism, he suggested, provides a strong foundation for productive external collaboration with the ICPC.
In response, Resident Commissioner Ahmad Muhammad Wada extended a warm welcome to the Comptroller and his delegation. He underscored the critical importance of inter-agency cooperation, particularly within the realm of corruption prevention, a central pillar of the ICPC’s mandate.
Commissioner Wada detailed how the Commission’s prevention activities, through systematic study and review of institutional processes, have successfully identified and dismantled vulnerabilities in numerous public sector organisations.
By blocking these corruption-prone linkages, the ICPC paves the way for more robust, effective, and transparent service delivery mechanisms.
The Commissioner’s explanation highlighted the proactive and systemic approach the Commission brings to such partnerships, moving beyond mere enforcement to institutional strengthening.
ICPC
Concluding the dialogue, Commissioner Wada assured the NIS Kano Command of the ICPC’s full support in its anti-corruption endeavours. As a tangible gesture of this commitment, he presented educational and information materials from the Commission to the Comptroller.
The visit was culminated by a symbolic exchange, with Comptroller Lawan presenting an appreciation plaque to the ICPC Kano office, thereby marking a mutual commitment to a fortified alliance against corruption and for the enhancement of national service integrity.
The visit came to a close with symbolic exchange of IEC materials on both sides.
Signed
J. Okor Odey, Anipr
Spokesperson for the Commission
High Court Jails Orya, Former NEXIM Bank MD, 490 Years For N2.4b Bank Fraud
High Court jails Orya, former NEXIM Bank MD, 490 years for N2.4b bank fraud. Justice F.E. Messiri of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja on Thursday, February 5, 2026 convicted and sentenced a former Managing Director, Nigerian Export Import Bank, NEXIM to 490 years imprisonment for bank fraud.
The convict was arraigned in 2021 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a 49-count charge, bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud to the tune of N2.4 billion.
Count one of the charges read: “That you Mr Roberts Orya while being the Managing Director of Nigerian Export- Import Bank(NEXIM BANK) on or about the 21st day of September 2011 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud induced Nigerian Export-lmport Bank to pay to Treasuremix Contruction Limited the sum of Four Hundred and Eighty Eight Million Naira (N488,000,000) as loan under the pretence that the Directors of Luxurium Leisure Services Limited applied for and are the beneficiaries of the said loan which pretence you knew was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
Count two reads: “That you Mr Roberts Orya while being the Managing Director of Nigerian Export- Import Bank (NEXIM BANK) on or about the 19th February 2013 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud induced Nigerian Export-Import Bank to pay to Treasuremix Construction Limited the sum of Six Hundred and Thirty Million Naira (N630,000,000) as loan under the pretence that the Directors of Luxurium Leisure Services Limited applied for and are the beneficiaries of the said loan, which pretence you knew was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (b) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related And Other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, thus setting the stage for his trial. Prosecution counsel, Samuel Ugwuebulam in the course of the trial called seven witnesses whose testimonies strongly established the defendant’s guilt.
NEXIM Bank
Justice Messiri in his judgment held that the prosecution proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt and found the defendant guilty as charged on all the 49 counts and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment on each, totaling 490 years. The sentences, however, are to run concurrently.
The convict served as the managing director of NEXIM Bank between 2009 and 2016. He was appointed to the position on August 14, 2009 by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on August 18, 2014.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 5, 2026.
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