The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a self-styled native doctor, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo, and his wife, Awolegan Omolola Omotola, before the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti over an alleged contract scam involving N1,098,961,500.
The couple were arraigned by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC 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.
According to a statement by the anti-graft agency, the defendants' troubles began after a petition was submitted by a widow, Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, who owns a private school in Delta State.
The petitioner alleged that Taiwo approached her for financial support for a road construction contract he claimed had been awarded to him by the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
The EFCC stated that Kenechukwu alleged that she paid a total of N1.98 billion into Taiwo's Access Bank account based on the representation.
The Commission said, "The couple were arraigned before Justice Abubakar Usman of the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti 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 statement further noted that, "Taiwo and Omotola ran into trouble when a widow, Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, a proprietor of a private school in Delta State, petitioned the EFCC alleging that the first defendant, Taiwo, approached her to finance a road construction contract purportedly awarded to him by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC)."
According to the EFCC, investigations revealed that the funds allegedly obtained from the complainant were used to acquire properties in Ekiti State.
The agency said, "Investigation further revealed that the couple invested the proceeds of the illicit activities in the acquisition of two properties in Ado-Ekiti, namely: Town Tavern Lounge, located at No. 1, Ikere Road, off Florence Court School, Ado-Ekiti, and a four-bedroom bungalow located on Florence Court, Irewolede Estate, Ado-Ekiti."
The Commission disclosed that it had already secured an interim attachment order on the two properties.
"The Commission had on Monday, May 25, 2026 secured the interim attachment of the two properties," the statement added.
The case forms part of the EFCC's ongoing efforts to investigate and prosecute alleged financial crimes across the country.
The defendants are expected to continue their trial before the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti
