By Uzair Adam
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought charges against two individuals, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, accused of impersonating the commission’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in an attempt to extort $1 million from former Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Koko.
The Daily Reality gathered that the suspects appeared on Wednesday before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja.
According to EFCC reports, Joshua and Hashim allegedly contacted Bello-Koko, claiming they could influence a supposed investigation against him.
They demanded $1 million to secure favorable treatment, threatening him with arrest and prosecution if he did not comply.
The defendants face a four-count charge under the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, which includes allegations of impersonation and attempted fraud.
Court proceedings revealed that on September 28, 2024, the duo allegedly sought $700,000 from Bello-Koko to halt a non-existent EFCC investigation.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty. EFCC counsel Elizabeth Alabi requested that the suspects remain in custody until their trial, while the defense applied for bail.
Justice Onwuebuzie granted bail to Joshua under stringent conditions, including a bond of N100 million and two level-16 civil service sureties.
Both defendants are to be held at Kuje Correctional Centre until bail conditions are met, with the second defendant’s bail hearing scheduled for November 18, 2024.
The two suspects, allegedly part of a four-man syndicate posing as EFCC officials, were arrested on August 28, 2024, in Abuja’s Garki and Apo areas.