EFCC docks 4 over alleged false declaration of assets

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kaduna zone , has arraigned Datau Irimiya Dangyil, Joshua  Dodo, Lekan Olatoye and Caleb  Kayode before Justices Amina Bello and A.Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna for alleged fraud.

Dodo, Olatoye and Dangyil were arraigned before Justice Bello, while Kayode was arraigned before Justice Isiaka, all on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 on separate one-count charge, bordering on false declaration of assets.

A statement signed by the anti-graft commission on Friday said Dangyil’s charge reads: “That you, Datau Irimiya Dangyil  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: 8141229021 in your name Datau Irimiya Dangyil,  domiciled with Palmpay  Limited 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 Olatoye reads: “That you, Lekan Tosin Olatoye, on or about the 27th 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: 7046305398 in your name Lekan Tosin Olatoye domiciled with  Palmpay Limited in the Declaration of Assets Form of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and you thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 27(3)(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.”

They all pleaded “not guilty” to their charge, upon which the prosecution counsel, Moses O. Arumemi urged the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in a correctional centre, while the defence counsel, Solomon Ologbondiyan and E.B Abichele, urged the court to grant the defendants bail.

Justice Bello, thereafter granted Olatoye, Dodo, and Dangyil bail in the sum of N500,000.00  each and one surety, each in like sum, who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court. In addition, the trio shall provide their National Identity Cards and three months utility bill.

He adjourned till October 15, 16 and 23, 2025 for commencement of  their trial.

Justice Isiaka on his part, ordered Kayode’s remand in correctional centre and adjourned till July 2, 2025 for the hearing of his bail application.

The defendants were arrested following actionable intelligence that exposed them for operating a school without licence in Minna, Niger State and in the course of the investigation they allegedly refused to declare their assets in the Assets Declaration Form of the EFCC.