On April 26, 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Bridget Okafor, a former Assistant Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, before Justice Venchak S. Gaba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
Okafor and her company, Bridkass Investment Integrated Limited, face 13 amended charges of abuse of office, misappropriation, and contract scam involving N1,966,378,045.85.
One of the charges alleges that Okafor “knowingly acquired private interest” in a contract awarded by the Nigeria Customs Service to Nikobi International, a company owned by her son. The prosecution claims this constitutes an offense under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Okafor pleaded not guilty to all charges. The prosecution presented Agid Mohammed, an EFCC detective, as a witness.
Mohammed testified that the EFCC received intelligence in 2016 about valuable items suspected to be proceeds of crime at the residence of the late Abdullahi Dikko Inde, a former Comptroller General of Customs. A search warrant was obtained, and incriminating items were recovered.
The witness further stated that an investigation revealed the fraudulent diversion of over N40 billion from the Nigerian Customs Service in 2014, allegedly involving Okafor. When questioned, Okafor reportedly volunteered a written statement and signed it.
Mohammed also testified that a search warrant executed at Okafor’s home resulted in the recovery of various items, including letterheads of companies linked to her children. These companies had allegedly executed contracts with the Nigeria Customs Service and received payments.
The witness added that Okafor was a signatory to various bank accounts and had influence over the award of contracts within the Nigerian Customs Service.
After hearing Mohammed’s testimony, Justice Gaba adjourned the matter to June 26, 2024, for cross-examination and continuation of the trial.
Okafor was previously arraigned in May 2019 before Justice Gaba in the FCT High Court, Kwali. The case was later transferred to the Kuje FCT High Court. CONTINUE READING
Leave a Reply