The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned two individuals and a company in separate cases involving alleged fraud totalling more than N570 million. The arraignments took place at courts in Benin City and Lagos, as the anti-graft agency intensified its prosecution of financial crimes across the country.
In Benin, the EFCC’s Zonal Directorate brought Evangeline Atanda Ibadha, a former manager at JustProtein Supermarket, before Justice (Professor) C.A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court on a five-count charge bordering on stealing by conversion and diversion of funds amounting to N547,307,016. According to the charge sheet, Ibadha allegedly diverted large sums belonging to her employer into personal bank accounts over a seven-year period. In one instance, she was accused of taking possession of N10,005,000 paid into her EcoBank account, a sum the EFCC says she “knew or reasonably ought to have known” formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity. Another count alleges that between January 2018 and January 2025, she took control of N319,335,216 through a First Bank account operated in her name. The offences contravene Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and are punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
Ibadha pleaded not guilty, prompting EFCC counsel I.M. Elodi to request her remand in custody and a trial date. However, defence counsel Evans Ogbeifun urged the court to allow him stand as an interim surety while a formal bail application is filed. Justice Obiozor adjourned the case until December 8, 2025, for hearing of the bail application.
In Lagos, the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 arraigned Oti Jonathan Idowu and his company, Boundless Multi Service Solution Nigeria Limited, before Justice O.A. Okunuga of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on 11 counts of stealing involving N23 million. According to the EFCC, Idowu allegedly received and converted funds belonging to private individuals under various business arrangements. One of the counts accused the defendants of stealing N5 million from a complainant, Nneoma Okebugwu, on March 30, 2021. Another alleges the theft of N3 million belonging to Umar Lukmon Agbomhere in July 2020. The offences violate Section 278(1)(f) and are punishable under Section 285(1) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2011.
Idowu pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecution counsel A.M. Dambuwa applied for a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded the Correctional Centre. Defence counsel I.O. Lala informed the court of a pending bail application and requested a hearing date. Justice Okunuga adjourned proceedings to December 3, 2025, for the bail hearing and ordered Idowu’s remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending further action.
