The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) faced a setback on Monday, June 8, 2026, as the re-arraignment of three National Assembly officials over alleged ₦337.06 million fraud could not proceed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jikwoyi, Abuja.
The case is before Justice Muhammed Zubairu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the defendants were expected to take plea on an amended 23-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, criminal breach of trust, official corruption and illegal conversion of public funds.
The defendants include Aishatu Bappa El-Nafaty, Director of Public Affairs in the Directorate of Special Duties and Parliamentary Security at the National Assembly, former Permanent Secretary Mamud Alhaji Abubakar, and Deputy Director of Procurement Igba Ityoakura Joseph.
According to the charge, the alleged offences involve the diversion and conversion of funds belonging to the National Assembly between 2017 and 2019, including transactions routed through accounts domiciled in SunTrust Bank.
Preliminary objection stalls proceedings
The scheduled re-arraignment was halted after defence counsel to the second defendant, Muhammed Ndayako, SAN, filed a preliminary objection challenging parts of the amended charge.
He asked the court to strike out counts three, four, five, six, seven and 18, arguing that they were incompetent and amounted to a reintroduction of previously quashed counts following an earlier ruling delivered on May 12, 2025.
Prosecution counsel, Francis Usani, opposed the objection, stating that it was served at short notice and was intended to frustrate the proceedings. He urged the court to dismiss it and proceed with the defendants’ plea.
Allegations in the amended charge
In count one, the defendants are accused of conspiring to commit criminal breach of trust as public officers within the National Assembly between 2017 and 2019.
Count three alleges that El-Nafaty allegedly misappropriated ₦89,871,225 transferred from National Assembly accounts into a personal account, contrary to provisions of the Penal Code.
Count 10 further accuses her of fabricating receipts linked to Fazh Integrated Services Ltd, allegedly intended to mislead and justify transactions.
Further directions from the court
El-Nafaty also indicated plans to file a similar objection. The court directed her to do so within 48 hours.
Justice Zubairu adjourned the matter to September 23, 2026, for hearing of the preliminary objections and ordered the prosecution to respond accordingly.
