Fake EFCC Officials Arrested for Attempted $1M Blackmail Against Ex-NPA Boss

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned two individuals, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, for their involvement in a $1 million blackmail plot against Mohammed Bello-Koko, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The suspects were accused of impersonating the EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and attempting to extort money from Bello-Koko by falsely claiming they could influence an investigation purportedly ongoing against him. They threatened arrest and prosecution if he did not comply with their demands.

The case was presented before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, which included impersonation and attempted fraud under the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. The EFCC's counsel, Elizabeth Alabi, requested their remand pending trial, while the defense sought bail.

Justice Onwuebuzie granted bail to the first defendant, Joshua, under stringent conditions, including a N100 million bond and two level-16 civil service sureties. Both defendants were ordered to be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions were met.

The judge scheduled the second defendant’s bail hearing for November 18, 2024. The suspects, reportedly part of a four-man syndicate impersonating EFCC officials, were arrested on August 28, 2024, in Garki and Apo legislative quarters, Abuja.