The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought a self-styled native doctor and his wife before a Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti over an alleged contract fraud running into about N1.09 billion.
The defendants, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo and his wife, Awolegan Omolola Omotola, were arraigned before Justice Abubakar Usman on six counts bordering on obtaining money under false pretences and laundering of suspected proceeds of crime. They both pleaded not guilty.
The EFCC told the court that the case started after a petition was filed by a widow who runs a private school in Delta State. She said she was introduced to what was described as a road construction contract linked to a state development agency in the oil-producing areas.
According to the anti-graft agency, the first defendant convinced the woman that he had secured the contract and needed funding to carry it out. He allegedly promised her returns once the project was completed.
Believing the arrangement was genuine, the woman reportedly made several transfers over time into accounts linked to the defendants. Investigators said the total traced so far is about N1.09 billion, while the complainant claimed she paid close to N1.98 billion.
The EFCC further alleged that no construction work was ever carried out. Instead, the money was diverted for personal use. The agency said its findings showed that part of the funds was used to acquire properties in Ado-Ekiti, including a lounge and a four-bedroom bungalow.
The commission also informed the court that it had already obtained an interim order to seize the identified properties, which are believed to be proceeds of the alleged fraud.
During the hearing, EFCC counsel urged the court to fix a date for trial and asked that the defendants remain in custody pending the consideration of their bail application.
Justice Usman granted the request and ordered that the accused persons be held in EFCC custody. The court then adjourned the case to June 11, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.
The matter is expected to continue as the court examines the evidence and determines the next steps in the alleged billion-naira fraud case.
