EFCC Arraigns Self-styled Herbalist, Wife for Alleged N1.09Bn Fraud in Ado-Ekiti

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Jun 8, 2026 #Access Bank fraud Nigeria, #Ado-Ekiti Federal High Court news, #DESOPADEC contract fraud Nigeria, #EFCC arraigns couple fraud case, #EFCC fraud Ado-Ekiti, #EFCC money laundering Ekiti, #EFCC property forfeiture Ekiti, #fake contract scam Nigeria, #herbalist N1.09bn scam Nigeria, #Nigerian advance fee fraud case, #Nigerian court fraud trial, #Olorunbukunmi Taiwo Omotola case

Segun Atanda/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a self-styled herbalist, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo, and his wife, Awolegan Omolola Omotola, before a Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti over an alleged N1.09bn contract fraud.

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 EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC said the defendants allegedly conspired to defraud a school proprietor, Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, under the guise of financing a road construction contract said to have been awarded by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

According to the Commission, the first defendant, Taiwo, presented himself as a contractor handling the project and persuaded the complainant to fund its execution.

This led to the transfer of about N1,098,961,500 into his Access Bank account.

Investigations further revealed that the proceeds of the alleged fraud were diverted into luxury assets, including two properties in Ado-Ekiti. These were identified as Town Tavern Lounge, located on Ikere Road, and a four-bedroom bungalow situated within Florence Court, Irewolede Estate.

The EFCC said it had already secured an interim order for the attachment of the properties pending the conclusion of proceedings.

One of the counts presented in court alleged that between January 2024 and November 2025, the defendants obtained the sum of N1,098,961,500 from the complainant by falsely claiming the funds were needed to execute a DESOPADEC road contract, a representation the prosecution described as false.

When the charge was read, both defendants pleaded not guilty.

Prosecution counsel, Sesan Ola, urged the court to fix a date for trial and order the remand of the defendants.

Justice Usman adjourned the matter until Thursday, June 11, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial, while ordering that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody.

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