The EFCC has arraigned Abu-Haneefa Oil and Gas Managing Director Musa Farouk Abubakar, his company and Sandra Chizoba Attoh over an alleged N691.7 million fraud, corruption and money laundering case in Abuja
EFCC Drags Oil Company Boss, Associate to Court Over Alleged N691.7 Million Fraud Scheme
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Managing Director of Abu-Haneefa Oil and Gas Ltd, Musa Farouk Abubakar, alongside his company and Sandra Chizoba Attoh, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged N691.7 million fraud, corruption and money laundering scheme.
The defendants were brought before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, on Wednesday on an amended 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit fraud, corruption and money laundering involving N691,677,310.
According to the EFCC, one of the charges alleged that Abubakar, as Managing Director of Abu-Haneefa Oil and Gas Ltd, transferred N297 million on July 21, 2025, from the company’s Zenith Bank account to an Access Bank account belonging to Attoh despite allegedly knowing that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities linked to corruption.
The charge stated: “That you Musa Farouk Abubakar, being the Managing Director of Abu Haneefa Oil and Gas Ltd on or about 21st July 2025, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court transferred the total sum of N297,000,000 (Two hundred and ninety-seven million Naira) from Abu-Haneefa Oil and Gas Ltd account No.1313378899 with Zenith Bank Plc to account no. 0108910277 of Sandra Chizoba Attoh with Access Bank Nigeria when you reasonably ought to have known that the said money formed part of the proceeds of unlawful act to wit: corruption and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(b) of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
Another charge alleged that Abubakar procured Attoh to transfer N262,866,310 from her account to Mshell Homes Ltd through Taj Bank for the purchase of a property at Kapital Villa, Guzape, Abuja.
The charge reads: “That you Musa Farouk Abubakar, sometime in July 2025, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, procured one Sandra Chizoba Attoh to transfer the sum of N262,866,310.00 (Two hundred and sixty-two million, eight hundred and sixty six thousand, three hundred and ten Naira) from her account no. 0108910277 with Access Bank Nigeria Plc to account no. 0003457246 of Mshell Homes Ltd with Taj Bank Ltd for the purchase of property at Kapital Villa Guzape, Abuja when you reasonably ought to have known that the said money formed part of the proceeds of unlawful act to wit: corruption and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(c) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
The three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea, prosecution counsel Rita Ogar requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendants in a correctional facility pending trial.
Counsel to the first and second defendants, Ishaka M. Dikko, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed on May 19, 2026, and sought permission for Abubakar to remain in EFCC custody pending determination of the application.
“We were served with the counter affidavit on June 1, 2026 but we apply that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the prosecution,” he said.
Counsel to the third defendant, Y.G. Haruna, SAN, also told the court that a bail application had been filed on June 1 and that the prosecution’s response was received the following day.
Opposing the applications, the prosecution insisted it had substantial evidence against the defendants and urged the court to reject the bail requests.
The prosecution stated: “It is a 20-paragraph affidavit. We attached two exhibits, Exhibit EFCC 1 and EFCC 2. We have filed a written address and rely on all the issues raised and respectfully urge the court to refuse the applications.”
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Egwuatu ordered that Abubakar be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings and the filing of a response to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit.
The judge, however, granted bail to Attoh in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like sum. He ruled that the sureties must be Abuja residents, provide passport photographs and valid means of identification, and own verifiable properties. One of the sureties must also be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and submit both a letter of appointment and evidence of last promotion to the court.
Justice Egwuatu subsequently adjourned the case until September 1 and 2, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
