The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, August 18, 2025, arraigned Umar Abdullahi, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) consultant, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, for alleged fraud involving N131.8 million and $200,000.
Abdullahi is facing a four-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, advance fee fraud, and money laundering.
One of the charges alleged that between July and August 2024, he accepted and transacted a cash payment of $200,000 for the allotment of shares in Multi Access Controls Limited, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Another charge accused him of fraudulently obtaining N104.9 million from Aura Integrated Energy Resources Limited under the pretext of procuring telecommunication equipment for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecution counsel, Cosmas Ugwu, urged the court to remand him in a correctional facility, citing that he had previously jumped EFCC administrative bail. However, defence counsel, A.O. Agbonlahor, requested that he be remanded in EFCC custody.
Justice Nwite ordered Abdullahi’s remand in Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to September 8, 2025, for commencement of trial.
His arraignment followed a petition by businessman Alhaji Shehu Badamosi, who alleged that Abdullahi obtained the funds under the guise of executing an NCC contract but became unreachable after receiving the money.
