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EFCC Arraigns Self-Styled Native Doctor, Wife Over Alleged N1.09bn DESOPADEC Contract Scam, Court Orders Remand
The EFCC also disclosed that proceeds from the alleged illicit activity were used to acquire luxury properties in Ado-Ekiti, including a recreational business outlet and residential building.
Ilorin, Kwara State– The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a self-styled native doctor, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo, and his wife, Awolegan Omolola Omotola, before the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti over an alleged elaborate contract scam involving the sum of N1,098,961,500 (One Billion, Ninety-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Five Hundred Naira Only).
The couple were brought before Justice Abubakar Usman on a six-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and retention of proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly ran into trouble following a petition filed by a widow, Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, a school proprietor based in Delta State, who accused Taiwo of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme under the guise of a government contract.
The petitioner alleged that Taiwo approached her with claims that he had been awarded a road construction contract by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), and persuaded her to finance the purported project.
Investigations by the anti-graft agency further revealed that a cumulative sum of N1,980,000,000.00 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Eighty Million Naira Only) was allegedly paid into Taiwo’s account domiciled with Access Bank Plc, as part of the suspected fraudulent transactions.
The EFCC also disclosed that proceeds from the alleged illicit activity were used to acquire luxury properties in Ado-Ekiti, including a recreational business outlet and residential building.
According to the Commission, the properties include: “Town Tavern Lounge, located at No. 1, Ikere Road, off Florence Court School, Ado-Ekiti, and a four-bedroom bungalow located on Florence Court, Irewolede Estate, Ado-Ekiti.”
The anti-graft agency further confirmed that it had, on Monday, May 25, 2026, secured an interim order for the attachment of the said properties pending the conclusion of investigation and trial.
One of the counts presented before the court, Count 2, was read in detail as follows:“That you, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo and Awolegan Omolola Omotola, sometime between January 2024 and November 2025, in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1,098,961,500.00 (One Billion, Ninety-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) from one Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, which was paid to you through Olorunbukunmi Taiwo’s account number 0027303340 domiciled with Access Bank Plc, by falsely representing that same would be used to execute a road construction contract awarded to you by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), a pretence you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
Meabwhile, when the charges were read to them in open court, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their plea, counsel to the EFCC, Sesan Ola, urged the court to fix a date for commencement of trial and also requested an order remanding the defendants in custody pending determination of the case.
Justice Abubakar Usman thereafter adjourned the matter until Thursday, June 11, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and the commencement of trial.
The court also ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody pending further proceedings in the matter.
