The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Danjuma Mohammed, a former project coordinator at the North East Development Commission (NEDC), and Prince Chibuike Echem, an Abuja-based socialite, over an alleged N2.28 billion contract fraud.
The defendants appeared on Tuesday at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court alongside Aminu Alhaji, who is currently at large, facing a 54-count amended charge. All defendants pleaded not guilty. Mohammed previously served as the national coordinator of the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) at the NEDC.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired to defraud Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu, managing director of Diamond Leeds Limited, claiming they could award contracts under the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery and Stability Program (NERSP). According to the charge, the defendants obtained a total of N2.28 billion from Ifekudu under false pretenses between May 2022 and February 2024.
Specifically, the commission stated that between January and December 2023, the defendants collected N573.5 million from Ifekudu through the Wema Bank account of Prince Chibuike Echem, falsely claiming they had the authority to execute NEDC contracts.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel Adeola Olarenwaju requested a trial date and the remand of the defendants at Kuje Correctional Centre. The defense, led by Chukwuka Obidike, had filed a bail application, which the prosecution opposed, stating it was not ready for hearing.
The trial judge, K. N. Ogbonnaya, ruled that the EFCC would respond to the bail application and ordered the remand of the defendants at Suleja Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned to March 25 for further hearing.
