Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Lagos — A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos has declared businesswoman Uyime Akpan wanted following an application by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) over an alleged ₦28.5 million fraud case. The order, granted by Justice Friday Ogazi, also empowers police to publish her name and details to aid her arrest and prosecution.
The decision came on Monday, January 19, 2026, after the PSFU filed an ex parte motion — a legal request made without the presence of the respondent — urging the court to place Akpan on its official wanted list due to her failure to submit to investigation. Counsel for the PSFU, M.Y. Bello, argued that the businesswoman had been evading law enforcement and that it was in the interest of justice to issue the order and involve wider security agencies.
In granting the application, Justice Ogazi agreed that there was merit in the police’s submissions. The court ordered that Akpan’s name be entered on the Police Special Fraud Unit’s wanted list and allowed for her details to be published in national newspapers and on social media platforms managed by the PSFU. The aim of the publication is to solicit information from the public that could lead to her arrest.
The Police Special Fraud Unit, located in Ikoyi, Lagos, specialises in investigating complex financial crimes, including various forms of fraud, money laundering, and economic offences. In its motion, the unit also listed other security agencies — including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) — as co‑respondents to ensure a coordinated effort in locating and apprehending the suspect across jurisdictions.
Details about the precise nature of the alleged fraud have not yet been fully disclosed in court records made public so far, but filings before the judge included documentary exhibits and an affidavit accompanying the PSFU’s application. The evidence is understood to outline preliminary findings from the ongoing investigation.
By declaring Akpan wanted, the court has effectively escalated the matter from investigation to active pursuit, signalling that the suspect’s prolonged absence constitutes a serious impediment to law enforcement efforts. The order legitimises broader efforts by police and security agencies to locate and detain her pending formal prosecution.
The development comes amid an intensified push by Nigerian authorities to tackle financial crime, especially instances where suspects fail to respond to lawful invitations to assist with investigations. Courts have in recent years granted similar orders in cases involving alleged fugitives whose whereabouts are unknown or who are actively evading arrest.
As of now, law enforcement agencies are expected to pursue all available leads. Members of the public are being urged to provide credible information that may assist in Akpan’s arrest. The PSFU’s authorised publication of her details marks a significant step in the legal process and underscores the judiciary’s support for enforcement actions against individuals accused of economic crimes.
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