EFCC arraigns two over alleged £110,000 money laundering in Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, arraigned two men, Ali Bala, also known as Barrister Ahmed, and Yusuf Umar Anka, before Justice Olubunmi Abike Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over an alleged £110,000 money laundering case.

The defendants are facing a 10 count charge bordering on alleged stealing, money laundering and retention of stolen property.

According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly conducted financial transactions involving proceeds of unlawful activities in 2025 in an attempt to disguise the source of the alleged stolen £110,000.

Another count alleged that Bala and Anka, between July and August 2025 in Lagos, converted ₦500 million belonging to Salihu Muhammed to their personal use.

The alleged offences, according to the prosecution, contravene 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, EFCC counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, asked the court to adjourn the matter for trial and order that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility.

Counsel to the first and second defendants, M. Abubakar and S. Makinde, indicated interest in a plea bargain while their clients’ bail applications are pending.

Justice Fadipe subsequently adjourned the matter to December 16, 2026, for trial and hearing of the bail applications and ordered that the defendants remain in a correctional facility.