The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a couple, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo and his wife, Awolegan Omolola Omotola, before the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti over an alleged N1.09bn contract scam.
The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission brought the defendants before Justice Abubakar Usman on a six-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and retention of proceeds of crime.
In a post on its X handle on Monday, according to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly conspired to defraud a widow, Anazia Kenechukwu, who reported the matter to the commission after a purported road contract deal went sour.
The petition stated that, “the first defendant approached the complainant to finance a road construction contract purportedly awarded to him by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission.”
It further alleged that “a total sum of N1,980,000,000.00 was paid into the first defendant’s account domiciled with Access Bank Plc,” following the supposed arrangement.
Investigators told the court that the funds were allegedly diverted and used to acquire properties in Ado-Ekiti, including a lounge and a four-bedroom bungalow.
The EFCC also said it had secured an interim order for the seizure of the properties believed to be proceeds of the alleged crime.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges as the court adjourned for further hearing.