The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two individuals, Abel Sokari and Nkeiruka Chukwuma, for allegedly attempting to defraud First Bank of Nigeria to the tune of €49 million. The suspects were brought before the Ikeja Special Offences Court on Monday, alongside their alleged accomplice company, Zakah Global Investment Ltd.
The defendants were slammed with a six-count charge that includes attempted fraud, possession of fraudulent documents, and forgery. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
EFCC counsel, Hanatu Kofarnaisa, urged the court to set a date for trial and requested that the suspects be remanded until then. However, their legal representatives—Mr. Clement Onwenwnor (SAN) and Mr. Laolu Owolabi (SAN)—appealed for bail on liberal terms, promising that their clients would be available pending the fulfillment of bail conditions.
Justice Mojisola Dada granted bail in the sum of ₦500,000 each, with one surety per defendant. She further ruled that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government for at least two years. The bail conditions must be fulfilled within 30 days.
One of the key charges alleges that on May 19, 2025, the defendants tried to fraudulently secure €49 million from First Bank by falsely claiming a transfer from Bayan Investment Bank into Zakah Global Investment’s account.
Additionally, the EFCC stated that in April 2024, the suspects were found in possession of a forged letter purportedly authored by Steven H. Sado, Donald Trump’s lead defense counsel—a claim that further escalates the gravity of the alleged crime.
The EFCC noted that the charges are in violation of multiple provisions of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Justice Dada adjourned the case to October 29, 2025, for trial.
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