EFCC Arraigns Four Over Alleged $5.3m Money Laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned four individuals before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged $5.3 million money laundering scheme.

The defendants — Bamidele Ayodele Emmanuel, Abdullah Oriyomi, Garuba Fathiat Funmilayo and Gbenro Victor Ademola — appeared before Justice F.N. Ogazi on separate two-count charges of money laundering under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
They all pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.

According to the EFCC, investigations showed that the defendants surrendered their personal details to one Afeez Animashaun, who allegedly recruited them at Mushin Market, Lagos, where they carried out their businesses.

The prosecution said the identities of the defendants were used to register several companies, including College Compass Eduguide Nigeria Limited, Hortifresh Solutions Nigeria Limited, Eduboost Innovation Nigeria Limited and Fixit Hardware and Tools Nigeria Limited, and to open corporate bank accounts through which more than $5.29 million was received in January 2025.

The EFCC told the court that the arrangement concealed the identities of the actual operators of the companies and facilitated the movement of suspicious funds through Nigeria’s financial system.

Following the guilty pleas, prosecution counsel Bilkisu Buhari urged the court to convict the defendants and impose appropriate sentences.

Justice Ogazi remanded the defendants in a correctional facility and adjourned the case until August 4, 2026, for judgment.