By SCM Reporter, Lagos
Three high-ranking officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have been hauled before the courts in Lagos, accused of lining their pockets with a staggering ₦2.04 billion in “dirty money.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) swooped on the senior trio on Wednesday, February 25, alleging a massive web of money laundering, abuse of office, and unlawful enrichment.
The defendants, who appeared before three different judges at the Ikeja High Court, are:
Felix Njoku: Former Director of Finance.
Benjamin Chinwuba Iloanusi: Current Director of Procurement.
Oche Jerry Ogbole: Current Director of Mechanical.
The court heard shocking allegations of how the officials allegedly used private business accounts to funnel cash from government contractors.
Felix Njoku faced a 17-count charge involving over ₦736 million. Prosecutors allege that even after leaving his post, he received ₦240.9 million from NRC contractors into a private Zenith Bank account under the name “FC Njoku and Company.”
Benjamin Iloanusi is accused of a ₦915 million fraud. The EFCC claims that while serving as Procurement Director in 2022, he pocketed over ₦160 million from contractors through personal accounts at Polaris Bank.
Oche Jerry Ogbole was hit with a nine-count charge totaling ₦395 million. It is alleged that during his time as a District Manager, he used a firm called “Altech Engineering Services” to receive payments from the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC)—a major NRC contractor.
Despite the mountain of charges, all three men pleaded “not guilty” to the offences, which contravene the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
The courtroom drama saw a mixed bag of results for the defendants’ freedom:
Njoku was granted temporary release on health grounds but must report to the EFCC twice a week and surrender his passport. His trial begins in May.
Iloanusi was not so lucky; he was remanded in a correctional centre (prison) until his bail hearing on March 3.
Ogbole was allowed to remain out on his previous administrative bail, with his next hearing set for April 23.
Lead prosecutor Abba Muhammad, SAN, has pushed for a swift trial, while the defence team, led by Mordecai Adejo, is fighting to keep the officials out of custody.
As the “Railway Three” prepare for their day in court, the public is left wondering just how deep the rot goes in the nation’s transport sector.
