The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, January 29, 2026, arraigned BFI Group Corporation and six individuals before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Jabi, Abuja on charges of attempting to defraud the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of €100 million (One Hundred Million Euros) through a purportedly fake Certificate of Capital Importation.
Defendants
The accused include:
- BFI Group Corporation
- Reuben M. Jaja
- Uzor Chidi Jerry
- David Femi James
- Imeobong Jumbo Udom
- Adeola Edward
- Emeka Emmanuel Okorie
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Charges
They were arraigned on a five-count amended charge bordering on fraud, conspiracy, and false pretence.
According to the prosecution:
- Between August 12, 2020, and March 2021, the defendants allegedly conspired to mislead the CBN into issuing a Certificate of Capital Importation for €100 million, purportedly deposited into a CBN account that did not exist.
The indictment alleges that the conspiracy was intended to induce the CBN to confer benefits on the BFI Group through false pretences, contrary to provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.
Court Proceedings
- When the charges were read, all defendants pleaded “not guilty.”
Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, prosecuting counsel, asked the court to fix dates for the trial and for the prosecution to respond to the defendants’ bail applications.
Chinedu Eze, defence counsel for some of the accused, made an oral bail application citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and legal precedents; however, the prosecution opposed this application on procedural grounds.
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Next Steps
Justice M.S. Idris adjourned the matter to February 3, 2026, for the ruling on bail applications and further proceedings. The court also ordered the fourth defendant to be remanded in the EFCC holding facility, while the others were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the next hearing.
Image Credit: Nairametrics
Source : Nairametrics
