The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, arraigned Ali Bala (a.k.a Barrister Ahmed) and Yusuf Umar Anka before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over an alleged theft and money laundering to the tune of £110,000.00 (One Hundred and Ten Thousand Pound Sterling).

The duo are standing trial on a ten-count charge bordering on stealing, laundering of funds and retention of stolen property.

Count one reads: ‘That you, ALI BALA (a.k.a Barrister Ahmed) and YUSUF UMAR ANKA, sometime in 2025 in Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conducted financial transactions of proceeds involving your unlawful activities to disguise the source of the stolen £110,000.00 (One Hundred and Ten Thousand Pound Sterling).

Another counts: reads: “That you, ALI BALA (a.k.a Barrister Ahmed) and YUSUF UMAR ANKA, between July and August 2025, in Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, converted the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million naira) property of Salihu Muhammed to your use. Which is contrary to Sections 280 (1) (a) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.’’

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the ten charges when they were read to them.

In view of their plea, the lead prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, requested a trial date and to remand the defendants in a Correctional center.

The counsels to the first and second defendants, M. Abubakar and S. Makinde opted for a plea bargain pending their clients’ bail application.

Justice Fadipe adjourned the matter to December 16, 2026, for trial and hearing of the bail application. The judge also ordered that the defendants be remanded in Correctional Facility.

Dele Oyewale

Head, Media & Publicity

October 7, 2026