Tunde Bakare
The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 arraigned Benjamin Bawa and Miracle Awaje before Justice A.Bello for failure to declare their assets as required by EFCC Establishment Act 2004.
The defendants refused to declare their assets when Asset Declaration Forms were given to them at the Commission’s office following their arrest on April 25, 2025, in Minna, Niger State for allegedly impersonating officials of Q-Net, a multi-level marketing company and luring unsuspecting investors into buying fake products of the company and diverting the proceeds to their personal use.
The charge for Bawa reads: “That you, Benjamin Bawa on or about the 26th of May, 2025 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly made a false declaration when you failed to declare your interest in account No: 1470591560 in your name Benjamin Bawa, domiciled with Access Bank Plc in the Declaration of Assets Form of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27(3)(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.”
That of Awaje reads: “That you, Miracle Awaje on or about the 26th May, 2025 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly made a false declaration when you failed to declare your interest in account No: 8106997498 in your name Miracle Awaje domiciled with Opay Digital Services Limited in Declaration of Assets Form of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27(3)(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.”
They pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when it was read to them, following which the prosecution counsel, M.O Arumemi urged the Court for a trial date and for defendants to be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kaduna, while the defence counsel reminded the court of a pending bail application of the defendants and prayed that they be granted bail on liberal terms.
Justice Bello granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira),each and one surety, respectively who are resident in Kaduna and must provide a six months bank account statements, National Identity Card and records of their three-months utility bills.
He further ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kaduna Correctional Centre, pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
He adjourned the case till October 8, 2025 for commencement of trial.