The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Abel EgertonSokari and Nkiruka Chukwuma before a Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja for allegedly attempting to obtain €49,000,000 by false pretence and forgery.

Sokari and Chukwuma were arraigned alongside a company, Zakah Global Investment Limited, on a six-count charge bordering on attempted fraud, possession of fraudulent documents, and forgery.

The EFCC alleged that on or about May 19, 2025, the defendants attempted to fraudulently obtain €49,000,000 from First Bank of Nigeria by falsely claiming that Bayan Investment Bank and Hedge Fund Statutory Trust had transferred the said amount into account number 2046430791, belonging to Zakah Global Investment Limited and domiciled at First Bank.

The Commission further alleged that sometime in April 2024, in Lagos, one of the defendants was found in possession of a document containing false pretences — specifically, a letter purportedly from the law office of Steven H. Sado, P.C., lead defence attorney for U.S. President Donald Trump — which he allegedly knew to be false.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Following their plea, the prosecution counsel, HanatuKofarnaisa, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in custody pending the commencement of trial.

However, counsel to the first and second defendants, Clement Onwenwnor (SAN) and LaoluOwolabi (SAN), informed the court of pending bail applications and appealed that the defendants be granted bail on the most liberal terms. They also undertook to take custody of the defendants pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

Justice Dada granted each defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in like sum.

The court also temporarily released them to their respective counsel pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, which must be perfected within one month.

The judge subsequently adjourned the trial to October 29, 2025.