A Federal High Court has remanded the National Coordinator of the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) under the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma,
in custody over allegations of fraud amounting to N2.2 billion. The remand was ordered on Tuesday by Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya at the Suleja Correctional Centre following the arraignment of Danjuma alongside co-defendant Prince Chibuike Echem.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) instituted the case, which centers on claims of false pretence, forgery, and inducement involving purported MCRP contracts intended for post-conflict recovery and development in Nigeria’s North East. Both defendants were arraigned on a 55-count charge and pleaded not guilty to all allegations, asserting their innocence before the court.
During proceedings, the EFCC counsel, Olanrewaju Adeola, formally sought to read the charges to the defendants, a request unopposed by defence lawyers. According to the charge sheet, Danjuma,
in his capacity as NEDC MCRP National Coordinator, allegedly conspired with Prince Echem and another individual still at large, Aminu Alhaji, between May 2022 and February 2024 in Abuja, to obtain by false pretence a total sum of N2,280,000,000 from Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu, Managing Director of Diamond Leeds Limited, and the company itself.
The charges indicate that the alleged acts contravened Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, which prescribes penalties for obtaining money under false pretences. Additional claims allege that the defendants obtained N649,500,000 and N573,500,000, purportedly under the pretext of having the capacity to award contracts under the MCRP, highlighting the scale of the alleged deception.
Following the charge reading, the EFCC requested the court to remand the defendants pending the hearing of their case. The defence sought bail in the interest of justice, but the prosecution opposed the motion on procedural grounds, prompting the court to require a formal response from the EFCC before any determination. Consequently, Justice Ogbonnaya set March 25 to April 2 for the trial, ordering an accelerated hearing while the accused remain in custody pending bail determinations.
Court documents reviewed by Nairametrics indicate that the prosecution’s strategy will heavily rely on testimonial and documentary evidence detailing the alleged scheme. The complainant is expected to testify that Prince Echem introduced him to Danjuma, presenting an opportunity for contract financing linked to the MCRP. The EFCC also plans to tender documents allegedly used to induce Diamond Leeds Limited into releasing funds for non-existent contracts. Several bank representatives are expected to testify regarding the movement and receipt of funds, corroborating the EFCC’s claims.
In addition to local currency transactions, the EFCC alleges that the defendants obtained foreign exchange payments, including $200,000 and $180,000, through false pretences. Danjuma is accused of forging a document titled North East Recovery and Stability Programme (NERSP) Notification of Award dated April 5, 2023, related to a medical training institute project in Damaturu, Yobe State, an act considered to be part of the broader fraudulent scheme.
The North East Development Commission was established to coordinate reconstruction, stabilisation, and development efforts in Nigeria’s North East, a region severely affected by insurgency and humanitarian crises. The Commission oversees intervention programmes such as the MCRP, which are designed to rebuild infrastructure, support livelihoods, and provide social and economic opportunities to affected communities.
In 2023, Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated a new board and management team for the NEDC, urging the commission to prioritise economic empowerment, quality education, and access to healthcare across the North East. The current alleged fraud case, therefore, comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the use of intervention funds and the effectiveness of recovery programmes.
Observers note that the outcome of this trial will have wider implications for public confidence in the management of federal intervention funds and accountability measures within development agencies. With billions of naira earmarked for reconstruction and rehabilitation, the case underscores the challenges of governance and the need for transparent financial management in conflict-affected regions.
The trial is set to attract significant attention due to the prominence of the accused and the scale of funds involved. The legal process is expected to clarify the veracity of the allegations, assess the role of institutional safeguards, and determine the liability of those implicated. Meanwhile, stakeholders in Nigeria’s development sector continue to monitor the case closely, highlighting the intersection of public service, oversight, and accountability in post-conflict recovery.
As the court prepares for accelerated hearings in late March, the nation awaits clarity on the fate of Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma, Prince Chibuike Echem, and the other alleged accomplices, reinforcing the broader imperative of ensuring integrity in the disbursement and management of public funds for national development.
