EFCC arraigns man over alleged $5,000 fraud

Etim Ekpimah

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Enugu Zonal Directorate, has arraigned 38-year-old Raheem Abiodun Wasiu before the Enugu State High Court over an alleged $5,000 fraud.

Wasiu was arraigned before Justice H. O. Eya, sitting at the court’s Independence Layout Division, on two counts bordering on stealing by conversion and obtaining money by false pretences.

According to the EFCC, Wasiu allegedly obtained $5,000 from Stanley Chukwuamuanya Ezekulie, a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator, after falsely claiming that he would transfer the naira equivalent of the money to him.

The second count alleged that on 6 July 2026, in Enugu State and within the jurisdiction of the court, Wasiu obtained the $5,000 from Ezekulie under the false pretence that he would transfer its naira equivalence of ₦7.05 million to him, knowing the representation to be false.

The alleged offence contravenes Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

Wasiu pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, Chiekezie Raymond Edozie, asked the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Enugu, and grant an accelerated hearing of the case.

However, defence counsel A. J. Ebube orally applied for bail.

The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that it had facts which, if brought to the attention of the court, could influence the court against granting bail. It also urged the court to expedite the trial.

Justice Eya adjourned the case to 28 October 2026 for hearing of the bail application and to 3 and 10 November 2026 for trial. The defendant was subsequently remanded in NCoS custody.

The EFCC said Wasiu was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps following a complaint by Ezekulie, who alleged that he had been defrauded of $5,000.

During its investigation, the EFCC said it discovered that Wasiu allegedly rented different Toyota Hilux trucks, posed as a wealthy contractor, moved with escorts and met BDC operators in the South-east and Akwa Ibom State.

The commission further alleged that he deceived the operators into handing over their money by presenting fake naira payment alerts after collecting their foreign currency.

The allegations have not been proved in court, and Wasiu is presumed innocent until proven guilty.