N44.7m Fraud: EFCC Takes Four Defendants to Court in Maiduguri
The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned four individuals over an alleged N44.7 million fraud involving a purported contract awarded by a non-governmental organisation.
The defendants, Ruth Emmanuel, Ibrahim Dogo Hyelni, Esther Loretta Gabari and Gbenga Makinde Obanewo, appeared before Justice Muhammad Maina of the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
They are facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, criminal misappropriation, forgery and the use of false documents.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired in December 2025 to defraud Ali Abatcha of N44.7 million by falsely claiming that the money was required to execute a contract purportedly awarded by the Global Health and Social Awareness (GHASA) Foundation to Ruhemd Global Enterprises.
According to the commission, the money was allegedly paid through the bank account of Hyelni, maintained with Guaranty Trust Bank.
In count five of the charge, the EFCC accused the defendants of obtaining the aggregate sum of N44.7 million from the complainant with the intention to defraud him.
The commission maintained that the alleged representation concerning the contract was false and that the defendants knew it to be false.
The charges were brought under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
At the court sitting, prosecution counsel, S.O. Saka, urged the court to schedule the matter for trial and order the remand of the defendants in a correctional centre.
In response, B. Balama, counsel to the first and second defendants, requested bail for Emmanuel on health grounds.
After considering the application, Justice Maina granted Emmanuel bail in the sum of N50 million, subject to the provision of two sureties who must reside in Maiduguri.
The court also stipulated that one of the sureties must deposit a title document valued at N50 million with the registrar.
The judge ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional centre and fixed November 4, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The arraignment marks the beginning of the court proceedings in the case, in which the defendants will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations against them.
