Two men allegedly impersonating operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) demanded $1m from former Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Managing Director, Muhammad Bello Koko, to stop an investigation into his tenure, a court heard on Wednesday.
An EFCC operative, Tanko Abubakar, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, that the suspects, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, eventually agreed to accept $700,000 after negotiations with the former NPA boss.
The defendants are standing trial on an amended four-count charge bordering on impersonation, conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.
Testifying as the second prosecution witness, Abubakar said the EFCC became involved in the case in 2024 after its Abuja Zonal Director received intelligence that the defendants were allegedly attempting to defraud Koko.
He told the court that Koko had reported that Hashim claimed to know the purported personal assistant to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, who allegedly demanded $1m to halt an investigation involving the former NPA chief.
Abubakar said Koko subsequently introduced him to Hashim, enabling him to contact the second defendant in August 2024 to discuss the alleged arrangement.
According to the witness, Hashim invited him to Crystal Palace Hotel on Gimbiya Street, Area 11, Abuja, where he said they needed to meet Joshua, who allegedly posed as Olukoyede’s personal assistant.
The witness said the meeting later took place at the legislative quarters in Apo, Abuja, where Joshua asked whether Hashim had informed him of the amount required to close the case.
“ The first defendant told me and Koko to bring $1,000,000. I pleaded with him that we cannot raise such an amount,” Abubakar told the court.
He said he initially offered $300,000, but Joshua rejected it. An increased offer of $500,000 was also turned down before Hashim allegedly persuaded Joshua to accept $700,000.
Abubakar said he reported the development to his superiors, who assembled an investigative team to coordinate the operation and arrest the suspects.
On August 28, 2024, he said he informed the defendants that he had returned from Kaduna with the money and was ready to deliver it.
However, Joshua allegedly directed him to meet at an A.A. Rano filling station along Lugbe Road, Abuja.
The witness said Joshua arrived in a Hilux vehicle and another jeep, with three armed mobile police officers inside the Hilux. The EFCC team could not make an arrest because its operatives at the scene were unarmed, he said.
Abubakar said he contacted his office, which mobilised armed personnel for the operation.
He later arranged another meeting with Hashim at Crystal Palace Hotel after informing him that the money was ready.
According to the witness, he eventually met Hashim on Gimbiya Street and showed him the bag containing the money, prompting EFCC operatives to move in and arrest him.
Abubakar said Hashim initially denied knowing Joshua’s residence but later led the operatives there after Joshua requested a video call to confirm that the money was ready.
The witness said Joshua was found inside a store in his house and arrested after his wife allowed the operatives to conduct a search.
Both defendants were subsequently taken to the EFCC headquarters.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case until Thursday, October 22, 2026, for continuation of trial.
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