EFCC arraigns two suspects in separate fraud cases

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two individuals in separate legal proceedings involving allegations of financial fraud and money laundering in Nigeria.

Amechi James Oduofor appeared before Justice C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Benin City on an eight-count charge. Oduofor is accused of forgery, impersonation, and obtaining $285,000 through false pretenses from a Singaporean national. The charges allege that in 2020, Oduofor used a falsified identity card claiming to be an official of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation to induce the victim into making payments. Oduofor pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In a separate case, former Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Managing Director Fidet Okhiria Edetanle was arraigned before the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos. Edetanle faces eight counts including money laundering, abuse of office, and unlawful enrichment. The EFCC alleges that Edetanle transferred approximately $245,000 from his domiciliary account to a bank account in the Netherlands during and after his tenure at the NRC. The case also involves an alleged ₦165.4 million component. Edetanle pleaded not guilty, and the court ordered his remand in a correctional facility pending further proceedings.