RismadarVoice Reporters, June 9, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was unable to proceed with the re-arraignment of three National Assembly officials accused of involvement in an alleged N337 million fraud case after one of the defendants challenged parts of the amended charges before the court.
The defendants; Aishatu Bappa El-Nafaty – Director of Public Affairs in the Directorate of Special Duties and Parliamentary Security, former Permanent Secretary of the National Assembly Service – Mamud Alhaji Abubakar and Deputy Director of Procurement – Igba Ityoakura Joseph are facing a 23-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, criminal breach of trust, official corruption, and unlawful conversion of public funds.
At Monday’s proceedings before Justice Muhammed Zubairu of the FCT High Court, Jikwoyi, counsel to the second defendant, Muhammed Ndayako (SAN), filed a preliminary objection seeking the dismissal of six counts in the amended charge. He argued that the counts had previously been struck out by the court and could not be revived.
The EFCC opposed the application, noting that it was served only days before the scheduled re-arraignment. Prosecuting counsel Francis Usani urged the court to dismiss the objection, describing it as an attempt to frustrate the proceedings, and requested that the defendants be directed to take their pleas.
According to the amended charge, the defendants allegedly conspired between 2017 and 2019 to misappropriate National Assembly funds amounting to N337.06 million. One of the allegations claims that El-Nafaty diverted N89.87 million entrusted to her through transfers from National Assembly accounts into a personal bank account. She is also accused of presenting forged payment receipts purportedly issued by a company identified as Fazah Integrated Services Limited.
Counsel to the first defendant informed the court that a similar objection would also be filed on behalf of his client.
Justice Zubairu directed that all pending objections be filed within 48 hours and granted the prosecution time to respond. The matter was adjourned until September 23, 2026, for hearing of the preliminary objections.
