By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, 29 January 2026, arraigned BFI Group Corporation and six individuals before Justice M. S. Idris of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi, Abuja, over an alleged €100 million fraud.
Those docked alongside the company are Reuben M. Jaja, Uzor Chidi Jerry, David Femi James, Imeobong Jumbo Udom, Adeola Edward, and Emeka Emmanuel Okorie.
In an official statement signed by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the defendants were arraigned on a five-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and other fraud-related offences.
At the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court of an amended charge dated 27 January 2026 and urged the court to have the charge read to the defendants so that they could take their pleas.
One of the counts alleged that between 12 August 2020 and March 2021 in Abuja, the defendants conspired with intent to defraud to induce the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a benefit on BFI Group Corporation by false pretence, an offence contrary to and punishable under relevant provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.
Another count alleged that BFI Group Corporation and Reuben M. Jaja attempted to obtain a Certificate of Capital Importation for the sum of €100 million in favour of the company by falsely claiming that the amount had been paid into an account purportedly maintained by the CBN, when in fact no such account existed.
When the charges were read, all the defendants pleaded “not guilty.”
Following their pleas, the prosecution requested a trial date and a date to respond to the written bail applications filed by the defence.
Speaking on behalf of the defence team, Chinedu Eze, counsel to the first and second defendants, urged the court to entertain an oral bail application, citing provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and judicial authorities. He further prayed the court to grant the second defendant bail on self-recognition.
The prosecution opposed the oral application, arguing that the authorities cited by the defence were inapplicable, as they relate to suspects under investigation and not to defendants already arraigned before a court of law.
“My lord, a suspect who has been charged is no longer a suspect but a defendant. The issue of bail in a trial such as this is regulated by the provisions of the ACJA. The defendants have already filed written applications for bail, which the prosecution is expected to respond to. It is inconsistent to now seek an oral application,” Iheanacho submitted.
Justice Idris adjourned the matter to 3 February 2026 for ruling and adoption of arguments on the bail applications.
The court ordered that the fourth defendant be remanded in the EFCC’s holding facility, while the remaining defendants were remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, pending further proceedings.
