RismadarVoice Reporters
July 2, 2026
An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court how two suspects accused of impersonating officials of the anti-graft agency were arrested in connection with an alleged attempt to defraud former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello Koko.
The witness, Akeem Lasisi, testified on Wednesday before Justice J.O. Onwuegbuzie during the trial of Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, who are facing a four-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly attempted to obtain $700,000 from Bello Koko after falsely claiming they could influence an ongoing investigation involving the former NPA chief.
Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Elizabeth Alabi, Lasisi, who identified himself as the leader of Team A of the EFCC’s Cybercrime Unit in 2024, told the court that the Commission received intelligence indicating that some individuals were impersonating EFCC officials.
He alleged that the first defendant presented himself as the Personal Assistant to EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and claimed that the EFCC Chairman and the Director of Operations had demanded one million dollars to halt an investigation involving Bello Koko.
Lasisi told the court that after receiving the intelligence, investigators contacted Bello Koko, who was outside the country at the time. According to the witness, Bello Koko confirmed receiving the demand and stated that the amount had allegedly been negotiated down from one million dollars to $700,000.
The witness said Bello Koko informed the suspects that his brother would handle the delivery of the money, prompting the EFCC to deploy an undercover operative to maintain communication with them.
He further testified that on August 28, 2024, the undercover operative agreed on a meeting point with the suspects for the exchange of the money.
Lasisi said the EFCC team initially moved to AA Rano Filling Station along Airport Road in Abuja before the meeting location was changed to Gimbiya Street.
According to him, the second defendant arrived at the agreed location in a Toyota Prado SUV, where the undercover operative attempted to hand over a prepared bag containing dummy U.S. dollar notes before EFCC operatives moved in and arrested him.
The witness added that the second defendant later led investigators to the residence of the first defendant, where he was also arrested.
He said two mobile phones were recovered from the first defendant, while the Prado SUV allegedly used during the operation was recovered from the second defendant.
Lasisi further told the court that both defendants were taken to the EFCC headquarters, where they made statements under caution in the presence of their lawyers, with the interviews recorded on video.
Following the testimony, the prosecution requested an adjournment to complete the process of bringing the recovered vehicle before the court as an exhibit and to tender the video recordings of the defendants’ statements.
Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the application and adjourned the case until July 15 and 16, 2026, for continuation of trial.
