Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned former Chairman, Board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Mrs Ngozi Olejeme, before Federal High Court, Abuja.
The arraignment was in connection of One Billion Naira fraud allegedly linked to her.
According to a statement released by the spokesperson for the EFCC, Mr Dele Oyewale, the suspect was charged with an 8-count indictment involving conversion, transfer, procurement, and possession of N1 billion derived from unlawful activities.
The statement alleges that Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme, while serving as the Board Chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, unlawfully converted N321,600,000 on February 9th, 2012.
This transaction took place in Abuja and involved transferring funds into a Sterling Bank account belonging to ADIN MILES INTERNATIONAL LTD., with knowledge that these funds were proceeds from illegal activities. Such actions are claimed to be an offense under Section 15(2)(b) and punishable according to Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2011, as amended by Act No.1 of 2012.”
Count 5 of the charges states: “On or around February 9, 2012, in Abuja and within this court’s jurisdiction, Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme as Chairperson of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) engaged Chuka C. Eze to convert $2 million into Naira for payment to ADIN MILES INTERNATIONAL LTD while being aware that these funds were proceeds from unlawful activities. This act constitutes an offense contrary to Section 18(c), punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act, 2011 amended by Act No.1 of 2012).”
According to the statement, she pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read aloud. As a result, prosecuting counsel, Mr Emenike Mgbemele requested that the court set a trial date in order to call 14 witnesses.
However, the Defense Counsel,Mr Emeka Ogbolugo, San, brought to the court’s attention a bail application requesting that the defendant be granted bail until the trial date.
Justice Nwite allowed the defendant to be released into her counsel’s custody and rescheduled the case for a bail application hearing to 17th of November, 2025.