The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Ali Bala and Yusuf Anka before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja Division, on allegations of theft and money laundering involving £110,000.00.
The duo are on trial on ten charges bordering on theft, money laundering, and retention of stolen property, according to an EFCC statement on Thursday.
Messrs Baba (aka Barrister Ahmed) and Anka allegedly conducted financial transactions in Lagos sometime in 2025 involving proceeds from unlawful activities to disguise the source of the stolen £110,000.
Additionally, the anti-graft agency alleged that between July and August 2025, the duo converted N500 million of Salihu Muhammed’s property for their use, contrary to Sections 280 (1) (a) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.’
The EFCC noted that the defendants pleaded not guilty to the ten charges when they were read to them.
After the plea, lead prosecution counsel Bilikisu Buhari requested a trial date and the remand of the defendants in a correctional centre.
According to the anti-graft agency, the counsel to the first and second defendants, M. Abubakar and S. Makinde, opted for a plea bargain pending their clients’ bail application.
The commission noted that the judge adjourned the matter until December 16, 2026, for trial and hearing of the bail application, adding that she ordered the defendants to be remanded in a correctional facility.