An alleged attempt to obtain $700,000 from former Nigerian Ports Authority Managing Director Mohammed Bello-Koko by pretending to have influence within the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission took centre stage at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
An EFCC operative, Tanko Abubakar, told the court how investigators traced the alleged scheme to two men, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, who were accused of posing as people with connections to the commission’s leadership.
According to the prosecution, the men allegedly claimed they could stop an investigation into Bello-Koko’s tenure at the NPA. They initially demanded $1 million before the amount was allegedly negotiated down to $700,000.
The prosecution alleges that the defendants claimed the money was required by EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede and the commission’s director of operations. The claims formed part of the alleged impersonation scheme now before the court.
How investigators entered the case
Abubakar, who works with the EFCC’s Land and Property Section in Ibadan, said he became involved after the commission received intelligence that the former NPA managing director was being targeted.
According to his testimony, Bello-Koko told him that Hashim had claimed to know someone allegedly posing as an aide to the EFCC chairman. The former NPA chief subsequently introduced the operative to Hashim, and discussions about the purported investigation began in August 2024.
The witness said Hashim arranged a meeting at Crystal Palace Hotel on Gimbiya Street in Abuja, where Joshua was expected to join them. The meeting later moved to the Legislative Quarters in Apo.
Abubakar told the court that Joshua asked whether the money needed to end the investigation had been discussed. Joshua allegedly demanded $1 million. The witness said he offered $300,000, which was rejected, and later proposed $500,000. That offer was also rejected before the amount was allegedly reduced to $700,000.
The operative said he reported the discussions to his superior, who assembled an investigative team.
Arrest operation at Abuja hotel
Abubakar recounted that on August 28, 2024, he informed the defendants that the money was available. Joshua allegedly directed him to meet at a filling station along Lugbe Road, where Joshua arrived with another vehicle and armed mobile police officers.
The EFCC team did not arrest the suspects at that meeting because its operatives at the scene were unarmed, the witness said. Investigators later arranged another operation after mobilising armed personnel.
Abubakar said he subsequently met Hashim at Crystal Palace Hotel and showed him a bag said to contain the money. EFCC operatives then moved in and arrested him.
The witness added that Hashim later led investigators to Joshua’s residence, where Joshua was arrested. Both men were taken to EFCC headquarters.
The defendants were arraigned in November 2024 and pleaded not guilty. They face amended charges involving impersonation, conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case to Thursday for continuation of trial.
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