ABUJA — Details of a high-stakes undercover operation were revealed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, as an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detailed how two impostors were arrested for attempting to extort $700,000 from a former government official.
The defendants, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, are facing trial before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie on an amended four-count charge including conspiracy, impersonation, and obtaining money under false pretences.
According to court filings, Joshua posed as the Personal Assistant to EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, while Hashim acted as the intermediary. The duo contacted former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Muhammad Bello Koko, falsely claiming that the anti-graft agency had opened an investigation into his tenure and demanding $1 million to kill the case.
Key Highlights of the Case
Target: Former NPA Managing Director, Muhammad Bello Koko.
The Scam: $1M bribe initially demanded by fraudsters posing as the EFCC Chairman’s team; bargained down to $700,000.
The Undercover Agent: An EFCC officer posed as Koko’s “brother” to negotiate with the fraudsters.
The Twist: The initial arrest failed when one suspect arrived flanked by armed police officers; backup was called to execute the sting later that day.
Undercover Negotiations at Apo Legislative Quarters
Testifying as the second prosecution witness (PW2), Tanko Abubakar—a seasoned EFCC operative attached to the Land and Property Section—narrated how he went undercover in August 2024 to expose the racket.
After being introduced to the suspects as Koko’s representative, Abubakar arranged a meeting at the Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja to negotiate the payment.
”The first defendant [Joshua] told me and Koko to bring $1,000,000,” Abubakar testified. “I pleaded with him that we could not raise such an amount and offered $300,000, which he rejected, saying I was not serious. I then increased it to $500,000, but he still turned it down. Hashim then pleaded with Joshua to accept $700,000 to close the investigation, and we all agreed.”
Armed Escorts, Dummy Cash, and a Hiding Suspect
Abubakar described the sting operation executed on August 28, 2024, which nearly went sideways:
Aborted First Attempt: The operative instructed the suspects to meet at an A.A. Rano filling station along Lugbe Road, Abuja, to collect the cash. However, Joshua arrived in a convoy accompanied by three armed Mobile Police (MOPOL) officers in a Hilux truck. Because the initial EFCC team was unarmed, they aborted the arrest to avoid a gun battle.
The Trap at Area 11: Abubakar requested armed reinforcement from EFCC headquarters and redirected the suspects to Gimbiya Street, Area 11.
First Arrest: Abubakar showed Hashim the bag containing the dummy cash. Once Hashim confirmed the money, waiting EFCC operatives moved in and handcuffed him.
Discovered in the Storage Room: Although Hashim initially refused to reveal Joshua’s location, he eventually led agents to his co-conspirator’s house after Joshua requested a video call to verify the cash. Operatives searched the home with the permission of Joshua’s wife and found the fake “P.A.” hiding inside a storage room.
Prosecution counsel Elizabeth Alabi called Abubakar to the stand after the originally scheduled witness, Hakeem Lasisi, was called away on an official assignment abroad.
Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case to Thursday, October 22, 2026, for the continuation of trial and cross-examination.
