The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned the Managing Director of Abu-Haneefa Oil and Gas Ltd, Musa Farouk Abubakar, alongside the company and Sandra Chizoba Attoh before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged N691.7 million fraud and money laundering scheme.
The defendants appeared before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, on an amended 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy, corruption and money laundering involving N691,677,310.
According to the EFCC, Abubakar allegedly transferred N297 million from the account of Abu-Haneefa Oil and Gas Ltd with Zenith Bank to an Access Bank account belonging to Attoh on July 21, 2025, despite allegedly knowing that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities linked to corruption.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that Abubakar later procured Attoh to transfer N262.87 million from her Access Bank account to the account of Mshell Homes Ltd with Taj Bank for the purchase of a property at Kapital Villa, Guzape, Abuja. The EFCC contended that the funds used for the property acquisition were proceeds of unlawful acts.
Both charges were brought under the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Rita Ogar, urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendants in a correctional facility pending trial.
Counsel to the first and second defendants, Ishaka M. Dikko, informed the court that a bail application had earlier been filed on behalf of Abubakar and requested that his client be remanded in EFCC custody pending determination of the application.
Similarly, counsel to the third defendant, Y. G. Haruna, SAN, told the court that a bail application had been filed for Attoh and that the defence had received the prosecution’s counter-affidavit.
Opposing the applications, the prosecution maintained that it possessed overwhelming evidence against the defendants and urged the court to reject the requests for bail. The EFCC stated that it had filed detailed counter-affidavits supported by documentary exhibits.
After hearing arguments from both parties, Justice Egwuatu ordered that Abubakar be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings and the filing of a response to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit.
The court, however, granted bail to Attoh in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like amount. The judge ruled that the sureties must be Abuja residents, property owners, and provide passport photographs and valid means of identification. One of the sureties must also be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and submit evidence of appointment and last promotion to the court.
Justice Egwuatu subsequently adjourned the matter until September 1 and 2, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
