The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned four alleged contract fraudsters before Justice Muhammad Maina of the Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri.

In a statement on Tuesday, the commission identified the defendants as Ruth Emmanuel, Ibrahim Dogo Hyelni, Esther Loretta Gabari, and Gbenga Obanewo.

According to the EFCC, they were arraigned on Tuesday on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence, criminal misappropriation, forgery, and use of false documents to the tune of N44,700,000.

“That you Ruth Emmanuel ‘F’, Ibrahim Dogo Hyelni ‘M’, Esther Loretta Gabari ‘F’ and Gbenga Makinde Obanewo ‘M’ on or about December, 2025, in Maiduguri, Borno State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did agree among yourselves to do illegal act, to wit: conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 8(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, respectively,” the first count read.

The defendants were also accused of fraudulently obtaining the money from Ali Abatcha through the bank account of Ibrahim Dogo Hyelni with the account number 0026601703 domiciled with Guaranty Trust Bank under the false pretence that the said money was for the execution of a purported contract awarded by Global Health and Social Awareness (Ghasa) Foundation, a non-governmental organisation to Ruhemd Global Enterprises.

Counsel to the prosecution, S.O Saka, prayed the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendants in a correctional centre, while counsel to the first and second defendants, B. Balama, prayed the court to admit the first defendant to bail because of ill-health.

Justice Maina thereafter admitted Mr Emmanuel to bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties residing in Maiduguri, adding one of the sureties must deposit a title document worth N50 million to the court registrar.

The case was adjourned until November 4, 2026, for the commencement of trial, and the judge remanded the defendants to the correctional centre.