By Nkechi Eze
The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two suspects, Kelvin Usiholo and Osaigbovo Aikoriogie, before Justice B. O. Quadri of the Federal High Court in Benin City over alleged fraud totaling N143 million.
In an official signed statement, the Commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, disclosed that the suspects and other accomplices currently at large are facing a three-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence and money laundering. Investigations revealed that Usiholo, acting as a purported attorney for Eghosa Aikorogie, had petitioned the Commission claiming that Osaigbovo Aikoriogie defrauded Aikorogie in a business transaction. The EFCC probe, however, established that the source of the funds was fraudulent and that both the complainant and suspect were part of a syndicate that defrauded unsuspecting victims, including foreigners.
The charges, filed under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, allege that the suspects conspired to commit money laundering and obtained N143 million knowing it formed part of proceeds from unlawful activities. The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
Prosecution counsel, Immaculate Elodi, requested the court to fix a trial date. Consequently, Justice Quadri adjourned the matter to February 27, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application.
