EFCC Arraigns Works Ministry Director, Surveyor for N1.9bn Fraud

Abuja – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, a former Deputy Director of Highways at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, alongside Sulaiman Abdulkadir Muhammed, a surveyor with the Department of Highways and Planning, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja.

The duo faces a three-count charge for allegedly diverting and misappropriating public funds totaling N1,936,961,649.00 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Six Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-Nine Naira). The funds were reportedly allocated for the acquisition of titles for federal roads nationwide between March 4, 2019, and July 17, 2020, but were allegedly converted for personal use.

One of the charges states: “That you, Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, whilst serving as Deputy Director Highways, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and Project Coordinator for the acquisition of titles for Federal Roads, and Suleiman Abdulkadir Muhammed, whilst serving as Surveyor of the Department of Highways and Planning, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, between March 4, 2019, and October 21, 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, used your office to confer corrupt advantage upon yourselves by putting to your own use the sum of Eight Hundred and Seven Million, Fifty-Three Thousand Naira (N807,053,000.00) despite being funds budgeted for the acquisition of titles for Federal Roads Nationwide, thereby committing an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following their plea, the prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed, SAN, requested a trial date and sought the remand of the defendants in a correctional facility. However, the defense counsel, J.K. Kolawole and A.S.U. Garba, applied for a short adjournment to file bail applications and requested that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody.

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case to April 3, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

In a related development, the EFCC also arraigned Olowoniyan on a separate three-count charge before the same judge for allegedly diverting an additional N439,502,200.00 (Four Hundred and Thirty-Nine Million, Five Hundred and Two Thousand, Two Hundred Naira) of public funds to personal use. One of the charges alleges that Olowoniyan transferred N301,994,200.00 to a staff member of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and received N19,140,000.00 in cash, which he converted for personal use.

Olowoniyan pleaded not guilty to these charges as well. Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned this case to April 3, 2025, coinciding with the hearing of the bail application in the first case.

The EFCC continues its efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability in the management of public funds.