The second prosecution witness (PW2) in the trial of Ojoba Joshua and Aliyu Haskim, who are being prosecuted for allegedly impersonating the Personal Assistant (PA) to the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, on Thursday, November 5, 2026, told Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, Abuja, that the first defendant, Joshua, told him he was the EFCC Chairman’s PA in the presence of the second defendant.
The EFCC is prosecuting Joshua and Haskim on an amended four-count charge bordering on impersonation, conspiracy and obtaining $700,000 (Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) by false pretence.
Joshua, the first defendant, allegedly paraded himself as Olukoyede’s Personal Assistant and conspired with Haskim, the second defendant, to obtain $700,000 from a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Muhammed Bello Koko.
Both defendants allegedly posed as EFCC operatives and approached Koko, claiming that his tenure as NPA Managing Director was under investigation by the Commission. They further claimed that the EFCC Chairman and the Director of Operations had demanded $1 million to halt the investigation. They eventually agreed to collect $700,000 from Koko.
At Thursday’s proceedings, the witness, Tanko Abubakar, an EFCC investigating officer, made the disclosure while being cross-examined by counsel to the first defendant, Obinna Nwosu.
Abubakar told the court that he encountered Joshua during his investigation and that the first defendant introduced himself as the PA to the EFCC Chairman.
When asked to provide evidence to support his claim, the witness said video clips showed the second defendant stating in his statement that Joshua had introduced himself as the EFCC Chairman’s PA.
“My Lord, there are video clips to show when the second defendant said in his statement that he is the PA to the EFCC Chairman. He said this when we were driving in the car,” he said.
The witness was further asked to identify the specific portions of the video evidence in which the alleged disclosure was recorded.
In response, the judge observed that playing the entire video clips would consume valuable court time. He consequently directed the prosecution to review the recordings, identify the relevant portions and present them at the next adjourned date.
Counsel to the prosecution, Elizabeth Alabi, also drew the court’s attention to an affidavit seeking leave to call her next witness virtually, explaining that the witness would be unable to appear physically because he was outside the country.
Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the application and adjourned the matter to November 9, 16, 19, 23 and 30, 2026, for continuation of trial.
