EFCC Arraigns Three for N42 Million Contract Fraud Linked to NGO Sub-Lease Scheme in Maiduguri

The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three defendants before the Federal High Court in Maiduguri on charges of obtaining money by deception. The defendants, Prince Lawal Shoyede, Sa'idu Tahiru Daura, and Aisha Alkali Wakil, were brought before Justice Jude K. Dagat on Thursday on a two-count amended charge.

The EFCC Maiduguri N42 million contract fraud case centers on allegations that the defendants fraudulently collected N42 million from ABAKS Ventures Nigeria Limited under the false pretense of executing a sub-lease agreement connected to the non-governmental organisation Complete Care and Aid Foundation.

According to the EFCC, the defendants represented to the victim company that a legitimate contract had been awarded to one Sani M. Adamu of Sani Smart Global Ventures. On the strength of that representation, ABAKS Ventures Nigeria Limited paid out N42 million, believing it was entering a genuine business arrangement tied to the NGO's operations.

That structure is worth understanding. The alleged use of a registered non-governmental organisation as a credibility anchor is a calculated move. NGOs, particularly those operating in conflict-affected areas like Borno State, handle significant sums of money and regularly engage contractors and sub-contractors. Attaching a fraudulent deal to that ecosystem gives it a veneer of legitimacy that is difficult to immediately question.

The defendants responded differently when the charges were read.

Aisha Alkali Wakil and Prince Lawal Shoyede both entered not guilty pleas. Sa'idu Tahiru Daura, however, pleaded guilty.

That split in pleas sets up two distinct legal tracks. Daura's guilty plea means the court will move to sentencing for him, while Wakil and Shoyede will face a full trial. Prosecution counsel N.T. Iko asked the court to sentence Daura appropriately and adjourn the trial of the remaining two defendants separately.

Justice Dagat adjourned both sentencing and the commencement of trial for the other defendants to June 25, 2026. All three defendants have been remanded at the Maiduguri Maximum Correctional Facility pending further proceedings.

The EFCC Maiduguri N42 million contract fraud case will return to court on June 25, at which point Daura could receive his sentence while the trial of Shoyede and Wakil begins in earnest.