WorldStage— The Second prosecution Witness in the trial of Ojoba Joshua and Aliyu Haskim, who are facing prosecution for allegedly impersonating the Personal Assistant to the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede told Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, High Court, Apo, Abuja, that the first defendant, Joshua, told him that he was the Personal Assistant to the Executive Chairman of EFCC in the presence of the second defendant.
The EFCC, is prosecuting Joshua and Haskim on an amended four-count charge, bordering on impersonation, conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence the sum of $700,000, (Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)
Joshua, the first defendant who allegedly paraded himself as the Personal Assistant to Olukoyede, had conspired with Hashim, the second defendant to obtain the sum of $700,000.00 (Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) from a former Managing Director, Nigerian Port Authority, NPA, Muhammed Bello Koko.
Both defendants hid under the false identity of EFCC operatives and approached Koko, claiming that his tenure as the M.D of NPA was being investigated by the EFCC, and further claimed that the EFCC Chairman and the Director of Operations requested $1m to stop the investigation. They finally agreed to collect $700,000.00 from Koko
At the proceedings, the witness, Tanko Abubakar, an investigating Officer of the EFCC while being cross- examined by counsel to the first defendant, Obinna Nwosu, told the court that he encountered the first defendant in the course of his investigation where he introduced himself as the PA to the Executive Chairman of EFCC.
When asked to provide evidence, he stated that there are video clips which showed where the second defendant testified in his statement that the first defendant allegedly told him he was the PA to the Executive Chairman of EFCC.
“My lord, there are video clips to show when the second defendant said in his statement that he is the PA to the EFCC chairman. He said this when we were driving in the car.” He said.
He was also asked to show the court the particular place in the video evidence where it was recorded that the first defendant disclosed that to him.
Reacting, the judge stated that playing the entire video clips will consume the time of the court, he directed that the prosecution go back and take a look at the video, identify places where the statement was made and provide them at the next adjourned date.
Counsel to the prosecution, Elizabeth Alabi drew the attention of the court to her affidavit asking the court to grant her leave to call her next witness virtually, as the witness will not be available physically to testify due to the fact that he is out of the country.
Justice Onwuegbuzie granted her request and adjourned the matter to November 9, 16, 19, 23, 30, 2026 for continuation of trial.
