A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory has remanded two individuals, Danjuma Mohammed and Prince Chibuike Echem, in Suleja prison over their alleged involvement in a N5 billion contract scam. The court’s decision was made after the duo was arraigned on a 55-count charge of advance fee fraud, forgery, and awarding fake contracts.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that Mohammed, the Project Coordinator of the Northeast Development Commission, and Echem, along with another individual at large, defrauded Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu of N2.2 billion between May 2022 and February 2024. The scam allegedly involved promising Ifekudu contracts from the Northeast Development Commission in exchange for the payment.
The EFCC further alleged that the defendants obtained N649.5 million from Ifekudu through Echem’s bank account, claiming they could award him contracts from the Multi-sectoral Crisis Projects (MCRP) of the Northeast Development Commission. Additionally, they were accused of collecting N573 million from Ifekudu through a Wema Bank account belonging to Echem under the same pretense.
The defendants were also accused of obtaining $480,000 and $200,000 from Ifekudu between January and December 2022, under the guise of awarding him contracts. They allegedly issued fake contract papers to Ifekudu in the name of the North East Development Commission, prompting him to part with various sums before their arrest by EFCC operatives.
Mohammed and Echem pleaded not guilty to all charges, prompting the EFCC’s lawyer, Olarenwaju Adeola, to request a trial date. The court fixed March 25 to April 7 for the full trial. The EFCC has assembled seven witnesses to testify against the defendants.
The defendants’ lawyer, Chukwuka Obidike, attempted to argue for their bail but was rejected due to the EFCC’s opposition. The EFCC’s lawyer argued that the bail application was not ripe for hearing, as he needed time to file a counter affidavit. The court agreed, citing the need for fair hearing.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat corruption and fraud in Nigeria, particularly in the context of contract awards and government projects. The Northeast Development Commission, established to address the region’s development challenges, has been at the center of several corruption allegations in recent years. As the trial progresses, it remains to be seen how the court will rule on the allegations against Mohammed and Echem.
