In a shocking turn of events, two individuals, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, were arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, for impersonating and attempting to blackmail the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede.
The duo 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. They demanded a staggering $1 million, promising that Olukoyede would ensure a “soft landing” for them. But that’s not all – they also threatened Bello-Koko with arrest and prosecution if he failed to play along.
The EFCC filed a four-count charge against Joshua and Hashim for impersonation and attempted fraud. Specifically, Count two of the charge reads: “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.”
When the charges were read to them, Joshua and Hashim pleaded not guilty. Consequently, EFCC’s counsel, Elizabeth Alabi, requested the court to remand the defendants in a Correctional facility pending the commencement of the trial.
This development highlights the EFCC’s commitment to tackling fraud and impersonation in Nigeria. Similar cases have been reported in the past, including the arraignment of a former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, for alleged fraud in the Mambilla Power Project.
