The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Zuba, Abuja, has ordered the remand of a former National Project Coordinator of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Danjuma Muhammad, alongside Chibuike Echem, at the Suleja Correctional Facility over alleged involvement in contract fraud exceeding ₦2 billion.
The two defendants, together with one other person currently at large, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 55-count charge. The charges border on advance fee fraud, forgery, and the alleged award of fake contracts to Kenneth Ifekudu, amounting to over ₦2 billion between 2022 and 2024.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following their plea, the prosecution counsel, Olarenwaju Adeola, requested a trial date, while defence counsel, Chukwuka Obidike, informed the court of his clients’ bail application. The application was opposed by EFCC counsel, who asked for time to file a counter-affidavit.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Keziah Ogbonna ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody and adjourned the case until March 25 for the commencement of trial.
