By Francis Iwuchukwu

Copyright tribuneonlineng

A Federal High Court in Lagos has denied the bail application of Aminah Momoh-Orimoloye, a businesswoman being held by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of a N500 million fraud.

The ruling was delivered by the court presided over by Justice Musa Kakakis, who recalled that the UK-Nigerian citizen, who is also the founder of Oriyon International Limited and coordinator of the Economic Empowerment of Women and Youth in Livestock Agriculture (EEWYLA), was arrested on August 5, 2025.

Her legal team, led by Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN), had filed a motion seeking her release on bail, arguing that her continued detention without a formal charge was a violation of her fundamental human rights.

The defence’s application was supported by a 13-paragraph affidavit from a lawyer, Johab Agbo, from the firm of Banwo & Ighodalo.

The affidavit highlighted several key points, including the claim that the EFCC had held Momoh-Orimoloye for an extended period beyond the legal 48-hour limit without preferring any criminal charges.

The defence also contested the bail conditions set by the EFCC, describing them as onerous, unfair, and unreasonable.

According to the applicant, these conditions required her to produce two sureties who were directors in the federal or state civil service and held Certificates of Occupancy for properties in Lagos.

The affidavit further alleged that the EFCC had rejected deputy registrars from higher institutions, who the defence argued were equivalent to civil service directors.

It also accused EFCC officials of subjecting Momoh-Orimoloye to mentally draining interrogation unrelated to the investigation, as well as harassment, threats, and intimidation.

The defence also raised concerns about her health, claiming she was held in deplorable conditions with inadequate access to food, essential amenities, and medical care.

However, the EFCC, represented by Suleiman I. Suleiman, strongly refuted these claims in a 29-paragraph counter-affidavit.

The commission’s investigator, John Justice, stated that the EFCC had received a petition alleging conspiracy and misappropriation of N500 million.

Preliminary investigation, according to the EFCC, revealed that Momoh-Orimoloye, along with two others, conspired to convert the funds belonging to a petitioner.

The EFCC’s counter-affidavit provided its version of events.

It confirmed that Momoh-Orimoloye was arrested and served with bail conditions, but claimed she failed to provide reliable sureties.

The commission accused the sureties she presented of deliberately providing false information, citing two individuals, Aliu Adekunle John and Ganiyat Monsurat Olaitan, who were allegedly engaged to make false representations.

The EFCC also argued that Momoh-Orimoloye, a UK citizen, was a serious flight risk.

The commission also pushed back on the claims of inhumane treatment. The counter-affidavit stated that Momoh-Orimoloye was held in conducive conditions, had access to visitors, and was even allowed to exchange foreign currency for Naira.

It also noted that the EFCC’s medical department had examined her and found no evidence of a deteriorating medical condition.

In his ruling, Justice Kakaki sided with the EFCC, holding that the applicant’s failure to present reliable sureties could not be blamed on the commission.

He emphasised that since the EFCC had granted administrative bail, Momoh-Orimoloye’s course of action should have been to fulfil the bail terms, not to seek a breach of her rights.

“The present application as constituted is hereby refused,” Justice Kakaki stated, thereby denying her request for immediate release and cementing her continued detention.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE