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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Umar Abdullahi, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) consultant, before the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over allegations of fraud, advance fee fraud, and money laundering involving N131.8 million and $200,000.
Abdullahi was brought before Emeka Nwite (Justice) on Monday, by the EFCC’s Ilorin Zonal Directorate on a four-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, and fraudulent misrepresentation.
According to the charge, Abdullahi allegedly received $200,000 in cash between July and August 2024 for the purported allotment of shares in Multi Access Controls Limited.
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The transaction, EFCC said, was conducted outside the banking system and above the legally permissible cash threshold, thereby violating provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In another count, the commission accused him of fraudulently obtaining N104.98 million from Aura Integrated Energy Resources Limited in June 2024, under the false claim that the funds were meant for the procurement of telecommunication equipment and logistics for staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The EFCC maintained that Abdullahi never had such a contract with the NCC and deliberately misled the complainant.
The case followed a petition filed by Shehu Badamosi, who alleged that Abdullahi approached him with claims of securing an NCC contract and requested financing to the tune of N131.8m and $200,000.
Badamosi told investigators that after advancing the funds, Abdullahi became unreachable and refused to return the money.
When the charges were read in court, Abdullahi pleaded “not guilty.” Prosecution counsel, Cosmas Ugwu, urged the court to remand the defendant in prison custody, arguing that he had previously jumped an administrative bail granted by the EFCC.
However, A.O. Agbonlahor, defence counsel, pleaded that Abdullahi be held in EFCC custody instead.
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Nwite, after hearing arguments from both sides, ordered that Abdullahi be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
The case was adjourned to September 8, 2025 for commencement of trial.
The EFCC stressed that Abdullahi’s arraignment reflects its ongoing commitment to clamp down on advance fee fraud and illicit financial dealings that undermine trust in Nigeria’s economic system.
