EFCC Arraigns Man Over Alleged N3.8m Property Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Alhaji Muhammad Talake before the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri over an alleged N3.8 million property fraud.

Talake appeared before Justice Aisha Kumaliya on Thursday on a two-count charge of obtaining by false pretence and criminal misappropriation.

According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly collected N3.8 million from Muhammad Umar Ali Abatcha in March 2025 after claiming the money was for the purchase of a property on Old GRA, Circular Road, Maiduguri, which he presented as Federal Government property available for sale.

The commission alleged that the claim was false and made to defraud the complainant. When the charges were read, Talake pleaded “not guilty.”

Following the plea, EFCC prosecuting counsel, S.O. Saka, urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending the hearing of his bail application.

Justice Kumaliya adjourned the case until August 10, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that Talake be remanded at the Maiduguri Maximum Correctional Centre.

The EFCC said its investigation showed that the defendant obtained the money under the guise of securing the property for the complainant, even though the offer was allegedly fraudulent.