EFCC Docks Ex-NEDC Boss, 2 Others Over Alleged N2. 2bn Fraud

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the ex-NEDC National Coordinator of Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) under the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Alhaji Danjuma Mohammed, over his alleged complicity in a N2. 2billion fraud. 

He was docked alongside two others, Prince Chibuike Echem and Aminu Alhaji who was said to be on the run. 

In a 54-count amended charge it filed before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting at Zuba, the EFCC told the court that the defendants had between May, 2022 and February 2024, used false pretenses to dupe a contractor, Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu, of a total sum of N2. 280 billion. 

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge that was read to them before trial Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya, even as their lawyer, Mr. Chukwuka Obidike, applied for their release on bail pending the determination of the case against them. 

On his part, the prosecution counsel, Adeola Olarenwaju told the court that he was opposed to the defendants' request for bail. 

Therefore, the EFCC's lawyer sought time to enable him to file a counter-affidavit to explain to the court why the defendants should be allowed to remain in detention. 

In his ruling, Justice Ogbonnaya held that it would be in the interest of justice for the court to give the prosecution the opportunity to respond to the defendants' bail application. 

Consequently, he remanded the defendants at the Suleja Correctional Center pending the determination of their bail application. 

The case was adjourned until March 25 for trial. 

Meanwhile, counsel to the nominal complaints in the matter, Beth Igwilo, SAN, disclosed to newsmen that seven witnesses have been lined up to testify against the defendants. 

Some of the counts in the charge against the defendants, read: "That you Alhaji Danjuma Mohammed being the  National Coordinator of Multi- Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project, (MCRP) North East Development Commission, Prince Chibuike Echem and Aminu Alhaji (still at large) between May, 2022 and February, 2024 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory conspired amongst yourselves to do an illegal act, to wit; obtaining by false pretenses the cumulative sum of (N2,280,000.00, (Two Billion, Two Hundred and Eighty Million) from one Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu, the managing director of Diamond Leeds Limited and Diamond Leeds Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud related Offences Act, 2006 and Punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

"That you Alhaji Danjuma Mohammed being the National Coordinator of Multi- Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP), North East Development Commission, Prince Chibuike Echem and Aminu Alhaji (still at large) sometime between 1st January 2023 and 31st December 2023 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud, obtain the aggregate sum of  N573,500,000 (Five Hundred and Seventy Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) from one Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu of Diamond Leeds Limited through Wema Bank account  of Rpknce Chibuike Echem under the false pretense that you have the capacity to award contracts to Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu’s companies from the Multi- Sectoral Crisis Recovery and Stability Program (NERSP) under the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and execute said contracts which pretense you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) and Punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance  Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006."