The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, October 8, 2026, arraigned two men, Ali Bala, also known as Barrister Ahmed, and Yusuf Umar Anka, before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over alleged theft, money laundering and retention of stolen property involving £110,000.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe on a 10-count charge bordering on stealing, laundering of proceeds of unlawful activities and retention of stolen property.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences were committed in Lagos in 2025.
One of the counts alleged that Bala and Anka conducted financial transactions involving proceeds of unlawful activities in an attempt to disguise the source of the stolen £110,000.
Another count accused the defendants of converting N500 million belonging to one Salihu Muhammed to their personal use between July and August 2025.
The charge stated that the alleged offence contravened Sections 280(1)(a) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all 10 counts when they were read to them.
Following their pleas, the lead prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, asked the court to fix a date for trial and order the remand of the defendants in a correctional facility.
Counsel to the first and second defendants, M. Abubakar and S. Makinde, respectively, indicated their intention to explore a plea bargain while their clients’ bail applications were pending.
Justice Fadipe subsequently adjourned the case until December 16, 2026, for trial and hearing of the defendants’ bail applications.
The judge also ordered that Bala and Anka be remanded in a correctional facility pending further proceedings.
