EFCC Arraigns Abuja Socialite, NEDC Coordinator Over Multi-Billion Naira Contract Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and arraigned two high-profile suspects—Prince Chibuike Echem, a well-known Abuja socialite, and Danjuma Mohammed, National Coordinator of the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project at the North East Development Commission (NEDC)—for their alleged involvement in a multi-billion naira contract fraud scheme.

The duo appeared before Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Zuba, Abuja, on Tuesday, where they pleaded not guilty to a 55-count charge bordering on advance fee fraud and forgery.

According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly defrauded an indigenous construction and equipment supply firm, Diamond Leeds Limited, of billions of naira by posing as government-linked contract facilitators.

Investigations revealed that trouble began in 2023 when Echem, leveraging his closeness to the Chairman of Diamond Leeds Limited, Kenneth Ifekudu, introduced him to Danjuma Mohammed, who presented himself as a northern power-broker with access to major government contracts.

Although Diamond Leeds reportedly received contract award letters, the company was never permitted to mobilize personnel or equipment to any project site in the North East. Danjuma Mohammed consistently cited insecurity in the region as the reason for the delays.

As Diamond Leeds persistently demanded payment for equipment already supplied, the syndicate allegedly opened a Guaranty Trust Bank account bearing the acronym “NEDC,” through which they returned a portion of the defrauded funds to the company—disguised as payment for supplied equipment.

EFCC probes further uncovered additional fraudulent activities linked to Danjuma Mohammed, which ultimately led to his dismissal from the NEDC.

In her ruling, Justice Ogbonnaya remanded both defendants at the Suleja Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to March 25–April 7, 2024, for hearing of bail applications.

The case continues as part of the EFCC’s broader crackdown on contract-related fraud and corruption within public agencies.