EFCC Arraigns Sierra Leonean For Alleged $190,324 Fraud In Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Sierra Leonean, Favour Foday Kamara, over an alleged $190,324 fraud involving a 70-year-old United States-based Sierra Leonean woman, Henrietta Vandi.

Kamara was arraigned on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, before Justice O. A. Okunuga of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on a two-count charge bordering on alleged theft and fraudulent conversion.

According to the EFCC, Vandi alleged that she met the defendant during a visit to the Synagogue Church of All Nations between 2019 and 2020. She claimed that Kamara subsequently encouraged her to invest in Nigeria.

The commission said its investigation revealed that Vandi allegedly sent money to the defendant through Ria, Western Union, MoneyGram and cash transfers into his Access Bank account.

The money was reportedly intended for the purchase and renovation of a property at 20/30 Gbenga Ogunleye/Atobatele Street, Cele Bus Stop, Araromi, Alimosho, Lagos.

Further investigation, however, revealed that the property was allegedly purchased in Kamara’s name and that he currently resides there and collects rent from tenants.

Upon conclusion of the investigation, he was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on an alleged theft and fraudulent conversion to the tune of $190,324.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Favour Foday Kamara, between August 2021 and February 2025, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your use the sum of $190,324.00 USD (One Hundred and Ninety Thousand Three Hundred and Twenty-four Thousand United States Dollars), property of one Mrs. Henrietta Vandi, thereby committing an offence of stealing, contrary to Sections 278(1)(b) and 285(9) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”

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

In view of this, prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that the defendant be remanded in a correctional centre.

The judge, consequently, adjourned the case till October 29, 2026, and also ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

In the same vein, the Commission has arraigned one N. Abraham Idowu Abiara (m) before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja for an alleged $626,282 (six hundred and twenty-six thousand, two hundred and eighty-two dollars) fraud.

Abiara, who was arraigned before Justice Ismail Ijelu, is standing trial on a one-count charge of stealing and dishonest conversion of funds.

The count reads: “That you, Abraham Idowu Abiara, on about the 2nd of September 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use the aggregate sum of $626,285 (Six Hundred and Twenty Six Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty Two United States Dollars) and committed an offence contrary to Section 280(2) and punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie, urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility and fix a date for trial.

Justice Ijelu, therefore, adjourned the matter to October 26, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and trial to commence.

Packaged by Emmanuel Okafor