The Two Defendants After Their Arraignment
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the dou of Ali Bala and Yusuf Umar Anka, before an Ikeja High Court of Lagos State over alleged conspiracy and fraud of £110,000 BPS and ₦500m.
The two defendants were arraigned of Friday, before the court presided over by Justice Olukayode Ogunjobi on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering, stealing and retention of stolen property.
One of the charges against the two defendants read: “that you, Ali Bala (a.k.a. Barrister Ahmed) and Yusuf Umar Anka, sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conducted financial transactions involving proceeds of your unlawful activities to disguise the source of the stolen £110,000.00 (one hundred and ten thousand pounds sterling), and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 7(1)(b)(i) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
The two defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In view of their pleas, the prosecutor, H.U. Kofarnaisa, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in a correctional facility.
But the two defendants through their lawyer, informed the court of their pending bail application, adding that the case was adjourned until September 8.
“In his ruling, Justice Ogunjobi adjourned the matter until September 8, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application, and ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing”.