EFCC’s bid to re-arraign three National Assembly officials over N337m fraud stalled
EFCC Delays Re-Arraignment of National Assembly Officials Over Alleged Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday postponed the re-arraignment of three National Assembly officials linked to an alleged fraud involving ₦337 million. The delay occurred after one defendant raised objections to parts of the amended charges.
Aishatu Bappa El-Nafaty, Director of Public Affairs in the Directorate of Special Duties and Parliamentary Security; Mamud Alhaji Abubakar, a former Permanent Secretary in the National Assembly Service; and Igba Ityoakura Joseph, a Deputy Director of Procurement, were scheduled to appear before Justice Muhammed Zubairu at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
The officials face a 23-count charge that includes claims of conspiracy, forgery, criminal breach of trust, official corruption, and the unlawful conversion of National Assembly funds totaling ₦337,062,350.
However, the proceedings could not advance due to a preliminary objection raised by Muhammed Ndayako (SAN), counsel for the second defendant. Ndayako sought dismissal of specific counts, arguing that they were unconsolidated and attempted to reinstate charges previously dismissed by the court in a ruling made on May 12, 2025.
In response, prosecution counsel Francis Usani noted that the objection was only served to the EFCC on June 5, 2026, shortly before the re-arraignment. Usani expressed dissatisfaction with the delay in filing the objection, pointing out that the defense had ample time to submit their application following the previous adjournment.
While indicating his plan to formally respond, Usani described the objection as frivolous and an attempt to derail the re-arraignment process, urging the court to dismiss it. He also requested that the defendants be directed to enter their pleas regarding the amended charges.
The charge sheet alleges that the defendants conspired between 2017 and 2019 to commit a criminal breach of trust involving public funds. One count contends that El-Nafaty, while serving as Deputy Director and Head of Training and Welfare, was entrusted with ₦89.87 million transferred from National Assembly accounts into a personal bank account, which she is accused of converting for personal use.
Another count asserts that El-Nafaty allegedly produced false payment receipts purportedly issued by Fazah Integrated Services Limited between 2017 and 2018, with intent to defraud.
During the proceedings, counsel for the first defendant announced an intention to file a similar preliminary objection to aspects of the amended charge. Justice Zubairu instructed that this application be submitted within 48 hours and allowed the prosecution time to respond to all defense objections.
The case has been adjourned until September 23, 2026, for a hearing on the preliminary objections.
