Abuja Woman Detained in N240.5m Forex Scandal
Woman Accused of Embezzling N240 Million in Abuja
A woman from Abuja, identified as Ene Queen Bamaiyi, has been charged with allegedly misappropriating N124 million out of the total N240 million that was entrusted to her by a man named Bright Okubo for foreign exchange conversion. The case was brought before Justice A.A. Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charge against Bamaiyi states that she dishonestly converted N124 million of the entrusted funds for her personal use, violating the purpose for which the money was given to her. According to the EFCC, this act constitutes a criminal breach of trust under Section 311 of the Penal Code, with the offense punishable under Section 312 of the same code.
Bamaiyi appeared in court and entered a plea of \”not guilty\” to the charge. Following this, the prosecution counsel, Joshua Saidi, requested a trial date and indicated that he intends to call five witnesses to support the case against the defendant.
On the other hand, the defense counsel, M.A. Attah, SAN, made an application for bail on behalf of his client. He argued that she is a single mother to a two-year-old child and requested that the court grant her bail on self-recognizance and with liberal terms. The court considered these submissions and ultimately granted the defendant bail in the sum of N30 million, with two reliable sureties also required to pay the same amount. These sureties must be individuals who are not below Grade Level 14 in the civil service.
In addition to the bail conditions, the judge ordered that the defendant deposit her passport with the EFCC and be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre until her bail conditions are fulfilled.
The case was adjourned to December 2 and 3, 2025, for further proceedings.
Key Details of the Case
- Defendant: Ene Queen Bamaiyi
- Accuser: Bright Okubo
- Amount Involved: N240,500,000 (Two Hundred and Forty Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira)
- Alleged Misappropriation: N124,000,000 (One Hundred and Twenty-Four Million Naira)
- Charged Offense: Criminal Breach of Trust under Sections 311 and 312 of the Penal Code
- Court: Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja
- Judge: Justice A.A. Halilu
- Bail Conditions: N30 million with two sureties of similar value, plus deposit of passport with EFCC
- Remand Location: Suleja Correctional Centre
- Next Trial Date: December 2 and 3, 2025
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of the EFCC to combat financial crimes and ensure accountability among those entrusted with public or private funds. It also underscores the legal procedures involved in such cases, including the process of arraignment, plea entering, bail applications, and trial scheduling.
Legal Process Overview
- Arraignment: The accused is formally charged in court and asked to enter a plea.
- Plea Entry: The defendant responds to the charges, typically either \”guilty\” or \”not guilty.\”
- Bail Application: The defense may request bail, citing factors such as the defendant\’s personal circumstances.
- Bail Granting: The court evaluates the application and decides whether to grant bail, often setting specific conditions.
- Remand: If bail is not granted or if conditions are not met, the defendant may be remanded in custody.
- Trial Scheduling: The court sets a date for the trial, allowing both parties to prepare their cases.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in financial transactions, especially when large sums of money are involved. It also illustrates the role of the judiciary in ensuring that justice is served while considering the rights and circumstances of the accused.
