Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has refused bail for UK-based Nigerian businesswoman Aminah Momoh-Orimoloye, accused by the EFCC of involvement in a N500m forex fraud
Alleged N500m Fraud: Court Denies Bail to UK-Based Nigerian Businesswoman
Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has refused the bail application of Aminah Momoh-Orimoloye, a UK-based Nigerian businesswoman, currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in a ₦500 million fraud.
Momoh-Orimoloye, who is the Coordinator of the Economic Empowerment of Women and Youth in Livestock Agriculture (EEWYLA) and founder of Oriyon International Limited, had filed suit number FHC/L/1741/2025, asking the court to order the EFCC to release her.
Through her counsel, Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN), she sought bail pending the conclusion of investigations or, alternatively, an order directing the EFCC to charge her to court without further delay. She argued that her continued detention since August 5, 2025, without arraignment, violated her fundamental rights.
In a 13-paragraph affidavit, her legal team alleged that she was subjected to “deplorable conditions, mental harassment, intimidation, and denial of adequate medical care.” They further faulted the bail terms set by the EFCC, which required her to produce two sureties who must be civil service directors and owners of landed property in Lagos State.
According to her, Deputy Registrars of higher institutions presented as sureties were unfairly rejected by the commission.
The EFCC, in a counter-affidavit sworn by investigator John Justice and argued by counsel Suleiman I. Suleiman, opposed the application. The agency alleged that Momoh-Orimoloye was implicated in a foreign exchange scam exceeding ₦1.6 billion, out of which ₦500 million belonging to a complainant was diverted.
The anti-graft agency argued that, She is a flight risk since she resides abroad.
- The sureties presented were unreliable, with some providing false information during verification.
- Contrary to her claims, she is kept under humane conditions, allowed medical checks, and permitted to exchange foreign currency and receive food from visitors.
In his ruling, Justice Kakaki held that the EFCC was not in breach of her rights since she had already been granted administrative bail, which she failed to perfect.
“Failure of the applicant to present reliable sureties should not be visited on the EFCC. Having been granted bail, the proper thing for her is to fulfill the terms,” the judge ruled.
The court consequently dismissed the application, declaring,
“The present application, as constituted, is hereby refused.”
