The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a self-acclaimed native doctor, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo, and his wife, Awolegan Omolola Omotola, over an alleged N1.09 billion contract fraud.

The couple appeared before Justice Abubakar Usman of the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti on a six-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and retaining proceeds of crime.

According to the EFCC, the case stemmed from a petition filed by Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, a widow and proprietor of a private school in Delta State. She alleged that Taiwo convinced her to finance a road construction contract he claimed had been awarded to him by the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

The petitioner alleged that she transferred a total of N1.98 billion into Taiwo’s Access Bank account for the purported project.

Investigations by the anti-graft agency reportedly revealed that part of the funds was used to acquire two properties in Ado-Ekiti: Town Tavern Lounge on Ikere Road and a four-bedroom bungalow in Florence Court, Irewolede Estate.

The EFCC had earlier secured an interim forfeiture order on the properties on May 25, 2026.

One of the charges alleges that the defendants fraudulently obtained N1.098 billion from the petitioner between January 2024 and November 2025 under the false representation that the money would be used to execute the DESOPADEC road contract.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following their plea, EFCC counsel, Sesan Ola, requested a trial date and asked that the defendants be remanded pending further proceedings.

Justice Usman adjourned the case to June 11, 2026, for the hearing of bail applications and commencement of trial. The defendants were ordered remanded in EFCC custody.