The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two members of a suspected fraud syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, for impersonating the Commission’s executive chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and attempting to extort $700,000 in a blackmail scheme. They appeared before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, “The suspects allegedly contacted Mohammed Bello-Koko, former managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), claiming to have access to a phony investigation involving him by the EFCC.”
The EFCC stated that Joshua and Hashim, posing as representatives of Olukoyede, demanded $1 million from Bello-Koko, promising a “soft landing” in a supposed investigation. Oyewale explained, “They also threatened him with arrest and prosecution should he fail to play along with them.”
The EFCC filed a four-count charge against the duo, accusing them of impersonation and attempted fraud. One of the charges read: “That you, Ojobo Joshua (aka PA to Chairman EFCC) and Aliyu Hashim, on or about September 28, 2024, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, attempted to obtain the sum of $700,000 (Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) by false pretence from Mohammed Bello-Koko. You falsely represented to him that there was a pending EFCC petition against him, which you could influence the Executive Chairman to halt.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following the pleas, EFCC’s counsel, Elizabeth Alabi, requested the defendants’ remand. Counsel for Joshua, Obinna Nwosu, sought liberal bail terms for his client, while Hashim’s counsel, Peter Oriobe, made an oral request for bail. Justice Onwuebuzie instructed Oriobe to submit a formal bail application in writing.
After reviewing the applications, Justice Onwuebuzie granted bail to Joshua under strict conditions: a N100 million bond with two sureties of equivalent financial standing. “The sureties must not be less than level 16 officers in the civil service,” the judge ordered, adding that they must provide identification, their appointment and promotion letters, and a written commitment to ensure the defendant’s court attendance. Joshua was also required to surrender his international passport.
Both defendants were ordered to remain in Kuje Correctional Centre until their bail conditions are met. The court adjourned the hearing on Hashim’s bail application to November 18, 2024.
