The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned three senior officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) – Felix Njoku, Benjamin Chinwuba Iloanusi, and Oche Jerry Ogbole-Inalegwu for alleged N2.04 billion fraud.
The defendants – Njoku, a former Director of Finance; Iloanusi, Director in the corporation’s Procurement Department; and Ogbole-Inalegwu, Director of Mechanical — were docked before different judges of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on separate charges bordering on abuse of office, unlawful enrichment and corruption.
Njoku Arraigned Over N736m
Felix Njoku was arraigned before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe on a 17-count charge involving an alleged N736,320,807.08 fraud.
According to the EFCC, Njoku, trading under the name FC Njoku and Company, allegedly received N240,940,000 from NRC contractors between January 2 and December 3, 2024, through a Zenith Bank Plc account linked to contracts awarded during his tenure as Director of Finance.
The charge stated that the funds were received “on account of the contracts awarded to the contractors during the discharge of your official duties.”
Njoku pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammad (SAN), requested a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded pending trial. Defence counsel, Mordecai Adejo, urged the court to allow Njoku continue enjoying the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC.
Justice Abike-Fadipe granted him temporary release on health grounds, ordered him to deposit his international passport with the court, and directed him to report to the EFCC Lagos Directorate 1 office every Monday and Friday.
The matter was adjourned to March 10, 2026, for hearing of the bail application, while May 11, 12, 18 and 19, 2026, were fixed for trial.
Iloanusi Docked Over N915m
Benjamin Chinwuba Iloanusi, was arraigned before Justice Ismail Ijelu on a 10-count charge involving an alleged N915,265,472.60 fraud.
The prosecution alleged that between January 4 and December 30, 2022, while serving as Director of Procurement, he received N160,930,458.04 from NRC contractors through Polaris Bank Plc accounts in connection with contracts awarded during his official duties.
He pleaded not guilty.
Justice Ijelu ordered his remand in a correctional centre and adjourned the case till March 3, 2026, for hearing of his bail application and commencement of trial.
Ogbole-Inalegwu Faces N395m Charge
The third defendant, Oche Jerry Ogbole-Inalegwu, was arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada on a nine-count charge involving an alleged N395,190,600 fraud.
The EFCC alleged that while serving as Railway District Manager and operating under the name Altech Engineering Services between February 12 and October 29, 2019, he received N11,397,500 from China Civil Engineering Construction Company — an NRC contractor — through an Access Bank Plc account in relation to contracts awarded during his official duties.
He also pleaded not guilty.
Justice Dada allowed him to continue enjoying the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC and adjourned the case till April 23, 2026, for hearing.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences contravene Sections 332(1) and (3), 73(1) and 82(c) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
