EFCC Arraigns Two Over £110,000 Theft, Money Laundering in Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two men, Ali Bala, also known as Barrister Ahmed, and Yusuf Umar Anka, over alleged theft and money laundering involving £110,000.

The defendants were arraigned on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

They are facing a 10-count charge bordering on stealing, money laundering and retention of stolen property.

According to the EFCC, one of the counts alleged that the defendants, sometime in 2025 in Lagos, conducted financial transactions involving proceeds of unlawful activities with the aim of disguising the source of the allegedly stolen £110,000.

Another count accused the defendants of converting ₦500 million, said to be the property of one Salihu Muhammed, to their personal use between July and August 2025.

The alleged offences were said to be contrary to Sections 280(1)(a) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all 10 counts when they were read to them.

Following their pleas, the lead prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendants in a correctional facility.

Counsel to the first and second defendants, M. Abubakar and S. Makinde, respectively, indicated their intention to explore a plea bargain while also pursuing their clients’ bail applications.

Justice Abike-Fadipe subsequently adjourned the matter until December 16, 2026, for trial and hearing of the bail applications.

The judge also ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility pending the next heading.