EFCC prosecutes over N187m fraud, bribery cases across Gombe, Abuja, Maiduguri, Ibadan

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has intensified its anti-corruption and fraud crackdown across the country, prosecuting cases involving more than N187 million in alleged fraud, bribery and issuance of dud cheques before courts in Gombe, Abuja, Maiduguri and Ibadan.

Among the cases is the conviction of a magistrate in Gombe for bribery, alongside fresh arraignments involving alleged cattle investment fraud, an employment scam, issuance of dud cheques and an alleged N145 million transformer procurement fraud.

H.H. Kereng, Justice of the Gombe State High Court, convicted and sentenced Mohammad Suleiman Kumo (Magistrate) to two years and six months imprisonment for bribery after he changed his plea from not guilty to guilty.

Kumo had initially been arraigned on December 3, 2025, on a three-count charge bordering on bribery by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.

The prosecution revealed that the convict, while serving as a magistrate at the Chief Magistrate Court, Pantami, received N1 million through a Zenith Bank account belonging to one Adamu Ahmed, a registrar in his court.

The charge stated that the payment was received on November 6, 2024, and constituted an offence under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

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Before the commencement of trial, Kumo’s counsel, Adamu Bawa, had challenged the jurisdiction of the court, arguing that the defendant, being a judicial officer, ought to be investigated and disciplined by the Judicial Service Commission.

However, prosecution counsel, A. Aliyu, countered that the defendant was a magistrate and not a judicial officer within the meaning of Section 318(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

Kereng, in a ruling delivered on February 17, 2026, dismissed the objection and affirmed the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

At the resumed hearing on May 5, 2026, the defendant informed the court of his decision to change his plea.

Following the guilty plea, prosecution counsel urged the court to convict the defendant and order him to pay N500,000 as compensation to the EFCC for the resources expended in investigating and prosecuting the matter.

Delivering judgment, Kereng described the offence as severe and convicted Kumo under the ICPC Act.

The court sentenced him to two years and six months imprisonment with an option of N250,000 fine and also ordered him to pay N500,000 compensation to the EFCC.

The EFCC said the magistrate’s ordeal began after complaints by Abubakar Isa Jauro Kuna and Suleiman Haruna alleging bribery against him.

In another case before the same court, the EFCC arraigned one Andefiki Markus over an alleged N20 million cattle investment fraud.

Markus was arraigned on two counts bordering on obtaining by false pretence.

According to the charge, the defendant allegedly obtained N20 million from one Skeptra Useni Baka in June 2023 under the pretence that the money would be invested in cattle fattening business in Taraba State for profit.

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The EFCC alleged that the representation was false and violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel Abubakar Aliyu sought a trial date and prayed the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility, while defence counsel C.C. Ichecu informed the court of a pending bail application.

Kereng subsequently remanded the defendant in EFCC custody and adjourned the matter till Thursday for hearing of the bail application.

Similarly, the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the EFCC arraigned one Gambomi Muhammed before Aisha Kumaliya, Justice of the Borno State High Court over an alleged N4.5 million employment scam.

The defendant was arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence.

The EFCC alleged that between June 2022 and February 2023, Muhammed fraudulently collected N4.5 million from several individuals after promising to secure employment for them in the Nigerian Correctional Service.

Among the alleged victims are Musa Yusuf, Kamilu Abubakar, Daniel Kwatri Tizhe, Mustapha Adamu, Yakubu Audu, Kadir Abdullahi, Yakubu John and Cosmas Peter.

According to the Commission, the defendant diverted the funds to personal use.

Muhammed pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following the plea, prosecution counsel S.O. Saka prayed for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in a correctional facility.

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Kumaliya adjourned the matter till May 8, 2026 for commencement of hearing and ordered the remand of the defendant at Maiduguri Maximum Correctional Facility.

In Abuja, the EFCC arraigned one Oluwabusayo Ekundayo before A.S. Adepoju, Justice of the FCT High Court, Gwagwalada, over alleged issuance of dud cheques worth N16.65 million.

Ekundayo, identified as the Chief Executive Officer of Orion Surgical and Satures, was arraigned on a two-count charge under the Dishonoured Cheque (Offences) Act 2004.

The EFCC alleged that the defendant obtained N4.65 million from one Clara Onwumere through a cheque which was later dishonoured due to insufficient funds.

The Commission further alleged that he also obtained credit worth N12 million from the same complainant through another cheque that was dishonoured upon presentation.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting prosecution counsel Joyce Audu to request a trial date.

The EFCC said trial has already commenced in the matter.

Meanwhile, the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Commission arraigned one Aremu Muftau Ajagun before Uche Agomoh, Justice of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, over an alleged N145 million transformer procurement fraud.

Ajagun was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on advance fee fraud and obtaining by false pretence.

According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly obtained N145 million from one Adegbite Musiliu Adetunji in August 2025 under the pretence of purchasing eight units of 4000KVA transformers.

The Commission alleged that Ajagun falsely represented himself as a consultant with Burron Development Limited and fraudulently diverted the transformers to other buyers after collecting money from multiple victims.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his arraignment, prosecution counsel DSE Mabas Mabur sought a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility.

Kemi Fawosola, Defence Counsel,
however, pleaded that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody.

Agomoh ordered that Ajagun be remanded at Agodi Correctional Centre, Ibadan.

The matter was adjourned till Friday for hearing of bail application and June 9 and 10, 2026 for continuation of trial.