The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned Abel Sokari, Nkiruka Chukwuma, and a company, Zakah Global Investment Limited, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court, Lagos, on a six-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents, and forgery to the tune of €49,000,000.
The agency in a statement said the defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read to them.
It added that following their pleas, prosecution counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, requested a trial date and prayed the court to remand the defendants in custody pending the commencement of trial.
However, counsel to the first and second defendants, Clement Onwenwnor, SAN, and Laolu Owolabi, SAN, informed the court of their pending bail applications and urged the court to grant bail in the most liberal terms.
It said they further undertook to take custody of the defendants pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
Justice Dada granted bail to both defendants in the sum of N500,000 each, with one surety in like sum.
They were temporarily released to their respective counsel pending the perfection of their bail conditions, which must be fulfilled within one month.
The case was adjourned to October 29, 2025, for the commencement of trial.