The trial of BFI Group Corporation and seven others before Justice M.S. Idris of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Jabi, could not continue on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, following the sudden ill-health of the third defendant, Ozor Chidi Jerry in court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting the company alongside Reuben M. Jaja, Ozor Chidi Jerry, David Femi James, Imeobong Jumbo Udom, Adeolu Edward, Emeka Emmanuel Okorie, Johnson Gabriel (now at large) on amended five-count charges to the tune of €100 million (One Hundred Million Euros).
At the Tuesday proceeding, prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, told the court that the matter was for the cross-examination of the First Prosecution Witness PW1, Babajide Adesanya. However, no sooner had the cross-examination begun than the third defendant fell ill, resulting in the abrupt abortion of the process.
Count one of the five charges against the defendant reads: “That you, BFI Group Corporation, Reuben M. Jaja, Ozor Chidi Jerry, David Femi James, Imeobong Jumbo Udom, Adeolu Edward and Emeka Emmanuel Okorie and Johnson Gabriel (now at large) and other persons (at large) between the 12th of August, 2020 and March, 2021 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, conspired among themselves to induce the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer benefit on BFI Group Corporation 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 Related Offences Act.”
Justice Idris adjourned the matter to October 21 and 22, 2026 for continuation of cross examination and hearing.
