Jos, Plateau State – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today re-arraigned Okewole Dayo, Secretary, and Bishop Katung Jonas, Chairman, of the Covenant Fadama Multi-purpose Cooperative Society, before Justice Sharon T. Ishaya of the Federal High Court in Jos. The duo faces a fresh 23-count charge alleging conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, and money laundering totaling a staggering ₦178,885,000.
This re-arraignment marks a renewed push by the anti-graft agency in a case that dates back to 2012. Previous reports indicate that the late Mamman Irmiya Jatau was also initially charged alongside Dayo and Jonas. The EFCC’s investigation uncovered a scheme where the cooperative society allegedly lured unsuspecting members of the public into investing significant sums, only for these funds to be laundered through various bank accounts and withdrawn via proxies. The ill-gotten gains were reportedly used to acquire properties in Jos and Kaduna.
One of the charges, Count 2, detailed the alleged transfer of ₦50,000,000 from the Cooperative Society’s First Bank account into a Dadin Kowa Micro Finance Account in 2012, which the EFCC states represents proceeds of an unlawful act, violating Section 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012.
Count 8 further accused the defendants of obtaining ₦10,000,000 from Reke Vida Ltd under the false pretense of investing the money in the cooperative society with a promised 10% monthly dividend, an act contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Both Okewole Dayo and Bishop Katung Jonas pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Buba, expressed the EFCC’s readiness to proceed with the trial, stating, “In view of the defendants’ not guilty pleas, we are ready to open our case and bring in our witnesses. We already have a date fixed for tomorrow, my Lord.”
However, the proceedings were met with immediate obstacles from the defense. J.J. Achi, counsel to the second defendant (Bishop Jonas), sought an adjournment due to a personal emergency involving a critically ill brother requiring urgent medical attention in Kaduna. Similarly, C.I. Nwogbo, counsel for the first defendant (Okewole Dayo), cited logistical constraints, explaining he had recently joined the case and was yet to receive certified true copies of crucial documents from the proof of evidence, coupled with his client not residing in Jos.
Justice Ishaya voiced her dissatisfaction with the delays, noting the considerable effort by the prosecution traveling from Abuja. She inquired about the number of witnesses the EFCC intended to present. Buba revealed that while they initially had 18 witnesses, some are now inaccessible, and two have unfortunately passed away, necessitating the potential addition of new witnesses.
After considering all submissions, Justice Ishaya adjourned the case to July 22 and 23, 2025, for the continuation of trial. The re-arraignment underscores the EFCC’s commitment to pursuing justice in this protracted fraud case, which has seen previous arraignments and legal maneuvers since it first emerged.
