The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two suspects, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja for impersonating the EFCC’s executive chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in a bid to extort money.
The suspects were charged on Wednesday before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie. According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the two men allegedly contacted Mohammed Bello-Koko, the former managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), claiming to have access to a fabricated investigation involving him by the EFCC. They demanded $1 million, promising a “soft landing” through Olukoyede’s influence, and threatened him with arrest and prosecution if he did not comply with their demands.
Joshua and Hashim are reportedly part of a four-man syndicate accused of impersonating Olukoyede. The duo was arrested on August 28, 2024, at different locations in Abuja, including Gimbiya Street, Garki, and Apo legislative quarters.
The EFCC filed a four-count charge against the men for impersonation and attempted fraud. One of the charges states that Joshua and Hashim attempted to defraud Mohammed Bello-Koko of $700,000 by falsely claiming to have influence over a supposed EFCC petition against him.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of fraud and impersonation, with the suspects facing charges under Nigeria’s Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act.
