RismadarVoice Reporters
October 8, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned two men before the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, over alleged theft and money laundering involving £110,000.
The defendants, Ali Bala, also known as Barrister Ahmed, and Yusuf Umar Anka, were arraigned on Wednesday, October 7, before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC.
They are facing a 10-count charge bordering on stealing, money laundering and retention of allegedly stolen property.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly carried out financial transactions involving proceeds of unlawful activities sometime in 2025 in an attempt to conceal the source of £110,000 said to have been stolen.
The commission further alleged that between July and August 2025, the defendants converted ₦500 million belonging to Salihu Muhammed to their personal use.
The charges were brought under relevant provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all 10 counts.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel Bilikisu Buhari asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendants in a correctional facility pending the determination of the case.
Counsel representing the defendants, M. Abubakar and S. Makinde, informed the court of their intention to explore a plea bargain while pursuing bail applications for their clients.
Justice Abike-Fadipe subsequently adjourned the case until December 16, 2026, for trial and hearing of the bail applications.
The court also ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility pending further proceedings.
The allegations against Bala and Anka have not been proven, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty by the court.
