The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a man, Auwal Ibrahim, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Bwari, Abuja, over his alleged involvement in a N5.3 million fraud linked to the impersonation of popular social media influencer Tunde Ednut.
Key Highlights
- EFCC Arraigns Suspect — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Auwal Ibrahim before the FCT High Court in Bwari, Abuja.
- N5.3 Million Fraud Alleged — Ibrahim is accused of participating in a scheme that allegedly defrauded unsuspecting victims of N5.307 million.
- Tunde Ednut Impersonation Alleged — The EFCC accused the defendant and an accomplice of impersonating popular social media influencer Tunde Ednut.
- Fake Bank Account Allegedly Used — The suspects allegedly opened an Access Bank account in Tunde Ednut’s name and used it to collect money from members of the public.
- Defendant Pleads Not Guilty — Ibrahim pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge bordering on conspiracy, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.
Ibrahim was brought before Justice M.A. Madugu on Monday on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.
According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly conspired with one Malam Yahaya Babangida, who is currently at large, between April 21 and April 28, 2026, to defraud members of the public by posing as Adekunle Tunde Olaoluwa, popularly known as Tunde Ednut.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the suspects fraudulently opened an Access Bank account in Tunde Ednut’s name and used it to obtain N5,307,000 from unsuspecting victims.
One of the charges stated that the defendant and his accomplice conspired to commit fraud through impersonation, while the second count accused them of assuming Tunde Ednut’s identity to operate the bank account and collect money from members of the public.
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When the charges were read, Ibrahim pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, EFCC prosecuting counsel, Elizabeth Alabi, urged the court to fix a date for trial and order the defendant’s remand in a correctional facility pending the hearing of the case.
Defence counsel, M.M. Bali, informed the court that a bail application had not yet been filed and requested a short adjournment to enable the defence do so.
Justice Madugu subsequently ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until July 27, 2026, for the hearing of his bail application.
