EFCC Arraigns 3 In Maiduguri Over Alleged N42m Contract Fraud

The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three individuals before the Federal High Court sitting in Maiduguri over alleged N42 million contract fraud.

The defendants — Aisha Alkali Wakil, Sa’idu Tahiru Daura, and Prince Lawal Shoyede — were arraigned on Thursday, May 21, 2026, before Justice Jude K. Dagat on a two-count amended charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants, who served as Chief Executive Officer, Programme Manager, and Country Director respectively of Complete Care and Aid Foundation (a non-governmental organisation), fraudulently obtained N42,000,000 from Abaks Ventures Nigeria Limited under the guise of executing a sub-leased contract.

According to the charge, the money was meant for the completion of a purported contract awarded to Sani M. Adamu (MD Sani Smart Global Ventures), which the prosecution said the defendants knew to be false.

“That you, Aisha Alkali Wakil, Sa’idu Tahiru Daura and Prince Lawan Shoyede… dishonestly induced one Abaks Ventures Nigeria Limited to deliver to you the sum of N42,000,000.00… which fact you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006,” the charge read.

Wakil and Shoyede pleaded not guilty to the charges, while Daura pleaded guilty.

Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, N. T. Iko, urged the court to proceed with sentencing for Daura and sought an adjournment to begin trial for the other defendants.

Justice Dagat adjourned the matter until June 25, 2026, for sentencing and continuation of trial. The court also ordered that all defendants be remanded at the Maiduguri Maximum Correctional Facility.

The EFCC said the arraignment followed investigations into allegations that the defendants obtained N42 million under false pretences in connection with a disputed contract arrangement.