Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a 40-year-old man, Auwal Ibrahim, before Justice M.A. Madugu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Bwari, Abuja, on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy, impersonation, and obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N5,307,000. The defendant was arraigned on Monday, July 20, 2026, following his arrest by operatives of the anti-graft agency.
According to the charge sheet, Ibrahim allegedly conspired with one Malam Yahaya Babangida, who is currently at large, between April 21 and April 28, 2026, to commit fraud by impersonation. Count one of the charge alleges that the defendants conspired to cheat by impersonation, an offence contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation and punishable under Section 97(1) of the same Law. Count two reads: “That you Auwal Ibrahim and Malam Yahaya Babangida (now at Large), between the 21th day of April, 2026 and 28th day of April, 2026 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, did impersonate one Adekunle Tunde Olaoluwa (popularly known as Tunde Ednut) and in that assumed character opened an account in the name of the said Adekunle Tunde Olaoluwa in Access Bank PLC with Account number 1975788197 and did obtain a total sum of N5,307,000 (Five Million, Three Hundred and Seven Thousand Naira) from unsuspecting members of the public and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation and punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him in court. Following his plea, prosecution counsel Elizabeth Alabi asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in a correctional centre. “Having pleaded not guilty, we shall be asking for a date to come and prove our case and we shall urge the court to remand the defendant in a Correctional Centre,” she said. Counsel to the defendant, M.M. Bali, informed the court that the defence was unable to file a bail application and requested a short adjournment to enable him to do so.
Justice Madugu ordered the remand of the defendant in Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until July 27, 2026, for hearing on his bail application. The case highlights the growing trend of fraudsters using the identities of celebrities and public figures to defraud unsuspecting members of the public. The EFCC has consistently warned Nigerians to be cautious of online schemes and to verify the authenticity of accounts and requests before making any financial transactions. The anti-graft agency has reiterated its commitment to prosecuting all forms of financial crimes, including impersonation and cyber fraud, and to ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.
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