EFCC To Re-Arraign National Assembly Directors Over ₦337m Fraud Scandal

According to IReporter Online, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday sought the re-arraignment of three senior officials of the National Assembly before the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Jikwoyi, Abuja, over an alleged ₦337.06 million fraud case.

The defendants include Aishatu Bappa El-Nafaty, Director of Public Affairs in the Directorate of Special Duties and Parliamentary Security; Mahmud Alhaji Abubakar, a former Permanent Secretary in the National Assembly; and Igba Ityoakura Joseph, a Deputy Director of Procurement.

The officials are facing an amended 23-count charge involving allegations of conspiracy, forgery, criminal breach of trust, official corruption, and the alleged diversion of funds belonging to the National Assembly.

However, the scheduled re-arraignment was stalled after counsel to the second defendant, Muhammed Ndayako (SAN), filed a preliminary objection challenging sections of the amended charge. The defence counsel urged the court to strike out counts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 18, arguing that they sought to revive allegations previously dismissed in a ruling delivered on May 12, 2025.

Opposing the motion, EFCC counsel Francis Usani described the objection as belated and an attempt to delay proceedings, insisting that the defence had sufficient time to raise such issues before the court date. He urged the court to dismiss the application and allow the defendants to take their plea.

Court documents allege that the defendants conspired between 2017 and 2019 to divert funds belonging to the National Assembly. One of the charges further stated that El-Nafaty allegedly converted ₦89.87 million into her personal account and was also accused of forging receipts linked to a company, Fazah Integrated Services Limited, with intent to defraud.

The first defendant is also expected to file a similar objection, prompting Justice Muhammed Zubairu to direct her to submit it within 48 hours, while granting the prosecution time to respond.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until September 23, 2026, for hearing of the preliminary objections.