By Olatunbosun Obafemi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Ene Queen Bamaiyi before Justice A.A. Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, on allegations of criminal breach of trust involving N240.5 million.
Bamaiyi, who appeared in court on Thursday, October 2, 2025, was accused of diverting part of the money entrusted to her for foreign exchange transactions. According to the EFCC, she allegedly converted N124 million out of the N240.5 million she received from one Bright Okubo under the pretext of exchanging it for U.S. dollars.
The one-count charge brought against her read: “That you, Ene Queen Bamaiyi (female), sometime in May 2024 in Abuja within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, while being entrusted with the sum of N240,500,000.00 by one Bright Okubo for conversion at dollar equivalent, did dishonestly convert N124,000,000.00 to your personal use in violation of the purpose for which the money was entrusted to you, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 312 of the same Code.”
Bamaiyi pleaded not guilty to the charge. Prosecution counsel, Joshua Saidi, requested a trial date and informed the court of his intention to call five witnesses to prove the case against the defendant.
In response, defence counsel, M.A. Attah, SAN, urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, citing Bamaiyi’s role as a single mother to a two-year-old child. He also asked the court to consider her status in society, arguing that she was not a flight risk.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Halilu granted bail in the sum of N30 million with two sureties in like sum. The court specified that the sureties must not be below Grade Level 14 in the civil service and must be deemed reliable. Additionally, the defendant was ordered to deposit her international passport with the EFCC.
Pending the fulfilment of her bail conditions, Justice Halilu directed that Bamaiyi be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre.
The case has been adjourned to December 2 and 3, 2025, for trial.
