NEDC Officials Remanded for N5bn Fraud

Alhaji Danjuma Mohammed, Project Coordinator of the Nigeria — North East Development Commission, and his associate Prince Chibuike Echem, have been remanded in Nigeria — Suleja prison over alleged involvement in a N5 billion contract fraud. The Nigeria — Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 55-count charge against them, including advance fee fraud, forgery, and awarding fake contracts. They are accused of defrauding Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu, Managing Director of Diamond Leeds Ltd, of N2.2 billion, N649.5 million, N573 million, $480,000, and $200,000 between May 2022 and February 2024, under the pretense of awarding him contracts from the Nigeria — North East Development Commission and its Multi-sectoral Crisis Projects. The defendants pleaded not guilty, and the court adjourned the trial to March 25.