The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Directorate, has arraigned four individuals before the Kaduna State High Court for allegedly making false declarations in their assets disclosure forms.
Those arraigned include Datau Irimiya Dangyil, Joshua Ayuba Dodo, Lekan Tosin Olatoye, and Caleb Akanmu Kayode. While Dangyil, Dodo, and Olatoye were arraigned before Justice Amina Bello, Kayode appeared before Justice A. Isiaka, all on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
The defendants were each slammed with a separate one-count charge bordering on false declaration of assets, contrary to Section 27(3)(a) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.
One of the charges against Dangyil 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 domiciled with Palmpay Limited in the Declaration of Assets Form of the EFCC…”
Similarly, Olatoye and Dodo were accused of concealing Palmpay accounts in their declarations submitted to the Commission. Kayode faces a similar charge and is being tried separately.
The four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
EFCC’s counsel, Moses O. Arumemi, applied for trial dates and requested that the accused be remanded in a correctional facility. However, defence counsel, Solomon Ologbondiyan and E.B. Abichele, applied for bail on behalf of their clients.
Justice Amina Bello granted bail to Olatoye, Dodo, and Dangyil in the sum of ₦500,000 each, with one surety in like sum, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction. Each defendant must also present a valid National Identity Card and three months’ utility bills. Their trial is set to commence on October 15, 16, and 23, 2025.
Justice Isiaka, presiding over Kayode’s case, ordered his remand in a correctional centre and adjourned the matter to July 2, 2025 for hearing on his bail application.
According to the EFCC, the defendants were arrested following intelligence reports linking them to the operation of an unlicensed school in Minna, Niger State. During the investigation, they allegedly refused to make full asset disclosures as required by law.
