EFCC Arraigns Couple in Ado-Ekiti Over Alleged N1.098bn Contract Fraud

MOUTHPIECE NGR reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned self-acclaimed native doctor Olorunbukunmi Taiwo and his wife, Awolegan Omolola Omotola, before the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti over alleged N1.098 billion contract fraud.

The couple appeared before Justice Abubakar Usman on six counts of obtaining money by false pretence and retention of proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 17(a) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.

EFCC Head of Media and Publicity Dele Oyewale said in a statement that the Ilorin Zonal Directorate arrested the suspects after a petition from Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, a widow who owns a private school in Delta State.

According to the petition, Taiwo approached Kenechukwu with a proposal to finance a road construction contract he claimed DESOPADEC had awarded him. Based on that claim, she transferred funds to an Access Bank account belonging to Taiwo.

EFCC investigations show N1.98 billion was paid into Taiwo’s Access Bank account 0027303340 in connection with the purported contract. Investigators said part of the money was used to acquire property in Ado-Ekiti: Town Tavern Lounge along Ikere Road and a four-bedroom bungalow at Florence Court, Irewolede Estate.

The commission said it secured an interim forfeiture order on both properties on May 25, 2026.

One count reads: “That you, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo and Awolegan Omolola Omotola, sometime between January 2024 and November 2025, in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1,098,961,500.00 from one Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, which was paid to you through Olorunbukunmi Taiwo’s account number 0027303340 domiciled with Access Bank Plc, by falsely representing that same would be used to execute a road construction contract awarded to you by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, a pretence you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty.

EFCC counsel Sesan Ola asked for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants. Justice Usman adjourned the case until June 11, 2026, for hearing of bail applications and trial. He ordered the couple remanded in EFCC custody.