● Justice Egwuatu remands Abu-Haneefa Oil MD, grants N200m bail to co-defendant Attoh
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned the Managing Director of Abu-Haneefa Oil and Gas Limited, Musa Farouk Abubakar, his company, and Sandra Chizoba Attoh before the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged N691.7 million fraud and money laundering.
The defendants appeared Wednesday before Justice Obiora Egwuatu on a 15-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, corruption and money laundering.
According to the EFCC, the offences involve laundering proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to N691,677,310. One charge alleged that Abubakar, on July 21, 2025, transferred N297 million from Abu-Haneefa Oil and Gas Limited’s Zenith Bank account to Attoh’s Access Bank account despite allegedly knowing the funds were proceeds of corruption.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that Abubakar procured Attoh to transfer N262.87 million from her account to Mshell Homes Limited through Taj Bank for the purchase of a property at Kapital Villa, Guzape, Abuja.
EFCC said the transactions contravened provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea, EFCC counsel Rita Ogar urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendants pending proceedings.
Counsel to Abubakar and Abu-Haneefa Oil and Gas Limited, Ishaka M. Dikko, said a bail application had been filed for the first defendant and requested remand in EFCC custody pending determination. Counsel to Attoh, Y.G. Haruna, SAN, also said he filed bail application and received prosecution’s response.
Opposing the applications, the prosecution argued it possessed overwhelming evidence and urged the court to reject bail.
After hearing submissions, Justice Egwuatu ordered Abubakar remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings on his bail application.
The court granted bail to Attoh in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like sum. The judge ruled sureties must be Abuja residents, property owners, and provide valid ID and passport photos. One surety must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and deposit evidence of appointment and latest promotion.
Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case to September 1 and 2, 2026, for trial commencement.
