EFCC secures conviction of two ex-bankers over theft in Kaduna

Two former bank officials have been convicted and sentenced by the Kaduna State High Court for theft, following prosecution by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC secured the conviction of Obadofin Daniel Bamise and Hadiza Oyiza Yakubu before Justice A.A. Bello of the Kaduna State High Court for theft.

The convicts, both former staff of a new generation bank, were tried on separate one-count charges bordering on theft under Section 274 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.

According to a statement by Dele Oyewale, head, Media & Publicity, EFCC, on Thursday, the court heard that between November 5, 2024, and January 23, 2025, while working with Access Bank Plc, they diverted N433,000 and N806,000, respectively.

Court documents further revealed that the fraudulent activities were linked to unauthorised withdrawals affecting accounts of 305 beneficiaries under the federal government’s palliative scheme.

Investigators said the total amount involved in the wider scheme-related transactions stood at N7,842,700, with funds allegedly diverted to accounts connected to scheme coordinators.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to the charges.

Moses Arumemi, prosecution counsel, urged the court to proceed with conviction, after which Bello sentenced them to seven years imprisonment each or an option of a N50,000 fine.

In a separate case in Maiduguri, the EFCC arraigned three individuals, Aisha Alkali Wakil, Sa’idu Tahiru Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyede, before Jude K. Dagat, Justice of the Federal High Court, over an alleged N42 million contract fraud involving a non-governmental organisation.

The defendants, who held leadership positions in Complete Care and Aid Foundation, were accused of dishonestly inducing ABAKS Ventures Nigeria Limited to release N42 million under the pretence of executing a sub-leased contract, which investigators alleged was false.

The charge bordered on obtaining by false pretence, contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

While Wakil and Shoyede pleaded not guilty, Daura pleaded guilty.

Prosecution counsel, N.T. Iko, urged the court to sentence Daura while seeking an adjournment to commence trial for the other defendants.

Dagat adjourned the matter to June 25, 2026, for sentencing and trial continuation and ordered that all defendants be remanded in Maiduguri Maximum Correctional Facility.

In a similar development, in Gombe, the EFCC also arraigned Dalhatu Yahaya before A.M. Yakubu, Justice of the Gombe State High Court over an alleged N3.5 million employment scam.

Yahaya was accused of obtaining the sum from Abubakar Shuaibu Yakubu under the false promise of securing a job with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), an offence said to contravene Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges. His counsel informed the court of a bail application, while the prosecution requested a trial date and remand.

Yakubu granted bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum, requiring the surety to provide proof of landed property, identification documents and other verifiable credentials.

The case was adjourned to June 22, 2026, for commencement of trial, while the defendant was remanded in custody pending fulfilment of bail conditions.