The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a 38-year-old man, Raheem Abiodun Wasiu, before the Enugu State High Court over an alleged $5,000 fraud.
In a statement on Tuesday, the agency said the suspect was arraigned before Justice H.O. Eya of the Enugu State High Court, in Independence Layout Division, Enugu.
Mr Wasiu was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on stealing by conversion and obtaining money by false pretence.
According to the EFCC, Mr Wasiu allegedly obtained $5,000 from Stanley Chukwuamuanya Ezekulie, a bureau de change operator, under the pretext that he would transfer the naira equivalent of the money, amounting to N7.05 million, to him.
The commission said the alleged offence was committed on July 6, 2026, in the state.
The charge stated that Mr Wasiu obtained the money with intent to defraud by making a representation he knew to be false.
The alleged offence contravenes Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
Mr Wasiu pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following his plea, the EFCC counsel, a chief superintendent of the commission, Chiekezie Raymond Edozie, asked the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and adjourn the matter for trial.
However, defence counsel, A.J. Ebube, orally applied for bail.
The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that it had facts which, if brought before the court, would make it unwilling to grant the defendant bail.
The EFCC also urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing of the case.
Justice Eya adjourned the matter to October 28, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and November 3 and 10 for trial.
The defendant was subsequently remanded in the custody of the Enugu correctional centre.
Mr Wasiu was earlier arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) following a complaint by Ezekulie, who alleged that the defendant defrauded him of $5,000.
The EFCC said its investigation showed that Mr Wasiu allegedly rented different Toyota Hilux trucks and posed as a wealthy contractor.
The commission further alleged that he moved around with escorts and targeted bureau de change operators in the South-East and Akwa Ibom State.
According to the EFCC, Mr Wasiu allegedly presented fake naira payment alerts to the BDC operators after collecting their money, thereby inducing them to part with their funds.
