By Aishat Momoh, Lagos
Emotions ran high at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja on Friday as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ikoyi Zonal Directorate, opened its case against alleged serial fraudster, Titilayo Funmilayo Eboh.
The first prosecution witness, Dr. Ifeoma Atoh, a consultant paediatrician, narrated before Justice Rahman Oshodi how she transferred ₦247.5 million in a bid to secure urgent overseas medical treatment for her critically ill husband, only for the promised dollar equivalent to allegedly disappear.
Eboh is standing trial alongside Uchenna Ejindu and Salami Eneojo Stephen on an amended four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, money laundering and stealing. The defendants were arraigned on January 30, 2026, over allegations that they conspired in July 2024 to defraud Jude Nyemike Atoh of ₦247.5 million under the guise of providing its dollar equivalent.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, T.J. Banjo, Dr. Atoh told the court that she paid the money in two tranches — ₦150 million and ₦97.5 million — into the first defendant’s account after being introduced to her as a Bureau de Change operator.
“My husband had been critically ill and required surgery abroad after months in intensive care. I transferred the money to obtain the dollar equivalent for his urgent treatment, but we never received it,” she said.
Visibly emotional, the witness urged the court to ensure the return of the funds to enable her husband access medical care.
The prosecution tendered payment receipts and a petition to the EFCC, which were admitted in evidence.
Under cross-examination by counsel to the first defendant, Victor Okpara, SAN, the witness confirmed that she adopted a petition earlier written by her husband to the anti-graft agency.
Earlier in the proceedings, Justice Oshodi granted the third defendant bail in the sum of ₦50 million with two sureties and ordered a lien on their assets. The sureties are required to provide evidence of tax payments for the past three years.
The court also directed the defendant to file an undertaking not to travel outside Nigeria without notifying the court and the prosecution, which would in turn inform the Nigeria Immigration Service.
While reiterating that bail is a constitutional right, the judge held that the defendant failed to demonstrate that her health condition could not be adequately managed in a correctional facility.
An application by Eboh’s counsel, Solomon Umonnan, SAN, seeking a variation of bail terms and interim release pending perfection of bail was opposed by the prosecution, which cited previous challenges in effecting her arrest and a separate pending criminal charge before another court.
The court declined the request for interim release, ruling that any variation of bail conditions must be brought through a formal application.
The matter was adjourned to March 13, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination.
