Kwara Court Remands Three Indians Over Alleged Trust Breach

A legal battle with international implications unfolded in Ilorin as a Kwara State High Court ordered the detention of three foreign nationals over alleged financial misconduct.

Justice Sulaiman Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin, on Wednesday ordered the remand of three Indian nationals over allegations of criminal breach of trust.

The defendants, identified as Lalit Sarwat, Ravi Raghavendra, and Gagan Sarswat, were arraigned alongside Oniyide Samuel, a dispatch manager based in Ilorin. Following their arraignment, the court ordered that they be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned the suspects on two counts bordering on conspiracy and criminal breach of trust. The charges were filed under Sections 97 and 314 of the Penal Code.

According to the EFCC, the alleged offences occurred between November 2024 and September 2025 while the defendants were employees of KAM Steel Integrated Company Limited in Ilorin.

Count one of the charge alleged that the defendants conspired to commit criminal breach of trust while in the service of the company. Count two stated that, having been entrusted with company property, specifically steel rebars, they dishonestly breached that trust.

When the charges were read in open court, all the defendants pleaded not guilty.

EFCC counsel, Cosmas Ugwu, requested that the court remand the accused persons in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending trial. He also asked for an accelerated hearing of the case.

Defense counsel, Ademuyiwa Abe, S. J. Ochai, and D. M. Ayuba, filed bail applications on behalf of their clients. They argued that the alleged offences were bailable and urged the court to grant their clients temporary freedom.

Opposing the bail request, Ugwu argued that three of the defendants are foreign nationals and posed a flight risk. He urged the court to refuse bail to ensure their availability for trial.

After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Akanbi ordered that the defendants remain in custody. He adjourned the matter to Friday, December 19, 2025, for a ruling on the bail applications.