EFCC arraigns Businessman over employment scam

By Muyideen Aliyu

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned a 45-year-old businessman, Kazeem Akinwunmi Bolaji, on an eleven-count charge bordering on an alleged employment scam and the retention of proceeds from unlawful activities.

The defendant allegedly collected various sums of money from unsuspecting victims under the guise of securing employment for them with the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

In one instance, Bolaji allegedly obtained ₦130,026.88 from twin brothers, Taiwo and Kehinde Abe, promising to secure them jobs in the NSCDC.

He was also said to have received ₦45,000 from Olarewaju Akande under the pretext of helping him secure employment with the Nigeria Customs Service.

Investigations revealed that the defendant, who allegedly posed as an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service, claimed to have access to employment slots and had benefited by up to ₦22.5 million from these activities.

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

Following his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Sesan Ola, urged the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant in custody.

Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar adjourned the matter until June 2026 for the commencement of trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre.