The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused the defence in an alleged money laundering case before the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, of deliberately deploying tactics to delay the trial of defendant, Musa Saliu Adekunle.
Adekunle is standing trial before Justice Maurine A. Onyetenu on a five-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, obtaining by false pretence and conspiracy.
At the resumed hearing on Friday, July 10, 2026, Adekunle’s new counsel, I. G. Udofia, informed the court that he was unable to proceed with the cross-examination of the third prosecution witness, Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC (DSE) Mubarak Isah, because it was his first appearance in the matter and he required time to study the case.
The request drew a strong reaction from the prosecution. EFCC counsel, Joshua Abolarin, urged the court to note what he described as repeated attempts by the defence to frustrate the trial through the frequent change of legal representation.
According to Abolarin, the defendant had changed lawyers three times since the commencement of proceedings, a development he argued was designed to slow down the trial and waste judicial time.
“My Lord, we want this matter to be expeditiously tried, but the defence is stalling,” the prosecution counsel submitted.
The defence later raised the issue of bail, but Justice Onyetenu reminded counsel that the court had already delivered a ruling on the application and advised that any challenge to the decision should be taken to the Court of Appeal.
“The court has given a ruling, and if the court has given a ruling on bail, the next thing for you to do is to go upstairs. You can appeal,” the judge stated.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to September 24, 2026.
Charge Against Adekunle
One of the charges alleges that Salihu Adekunle Musa (also known as Mr. Igboabuchi) conspired with Adebayo Taiwo Naheem, Mrs. Igboabuchi Chinonso Happiness and Anuoluwapo Victoria Onibokun, who are currently at large, in February 2024 in Akwa Ibom State to obtain property by false pretence and launder proceeds of crime.
The prosecution maintains that the alleged conduct contravenes Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
Court Orders Defendant in Separate $525,276 Fraud Case Moved to Correctional Centre
In a related development, Justice Onyetenu also heard proceedings in the criminal trial of Victor Ekpong Thompson, who is facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, advance fee fraud, criminal breach of trust, criminal misappropriation and stealing involving $525,276.
When the matter came up on Friday, July 10, 2026, Thompson was absent from court.
Prosecution counsel, Ifeyinwa Azegbeobor, informed the court that the EFCC had filed an application supported by a 15-page affidavit seeking an order to transfer the defendant to a Correctional Centre.
Justice Onyetenu granted the application and ruled that the prosecution would no longer be responsible for paying the defendant’s medical expenses.
Defence counsel, Nsikak Akai, appealed to the court to allow Thompson to remain at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.
Responding, the judge clarified that while the prosecution would continue to provide security to ensure the defendant remained under lawful custody, it would no longer bear responsibility for his hospital bills.
“If the prosecution does not want him in their custody, and you are speaking of his health, you have to take responsibility for his medical bills while the prosecution provides security at the hospital to ensure that the defendant remains within the facility,” Justice Onyetenu ruled.
The court adjourned the matter to September 22, 24 and 29, 2026 for the continuation of trial.
Alleged $525,276 Investment Fraud
According to the EFCC, Thompson allegedly forged mining documents and used them to deceive a group of foreign investors from the United States Tammy Jensen, Kenneth Blad, Peter Jensen, Beth Southwick and Angie Craven into investing a total of $525,276 in purported mining and deep seaport projects.
One of the charges alleges that between January and June 2025, Thompson fraudulently obtained $123,030 from Tammy Jensen, Peter Jensen, Kenneth Blad and other unsuspecting investors under the false representation that the funds would be invested in mineral resource mining and a deep seaport business.
The EFCC said the alleged offence violates Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
Both cases remain before the Federal High Court in Uyo for further proceedings.
