On Thursday, October 2, 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) formally charged Ene Queen Bamaiyi before Justice A.A. Halilu at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja. She faces a single count of criminal breach of trust involving the sum of N240,500,000.
As detailed in an official EFCC statement shared on their verified Facebook page, Bamaiyi is accused of unlawfully appropriating N124,000,000 from the total amount of N240,500,000. This money was entrusted to her by Bright Okubo for the purpose of foreign currency exchange but was allegedly diverted for her personal benefit.
The indictment states: “You, Ene Queen Bamaiyi (female), in May 2024, within Abuja under the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, were entrusted with N240,500,000.00 (Two Hundred Forty Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) by Bright Okubo for conversion into US dollars. You dishonestly converted N124,000,000.00 (One Hundred Twenty-Four Million Naira) of this sum for your own use, breaching the trust placed in you. This act contravenes Section 311 of the Penal Code and is punishable under Section 312 of the same Code.”
Upon arraignment, Bamaiyi entered a plea of “not guilty.” The prosecution, led by Joshua Saidi, requested a trial date and indicated plans to call five witnesses to substantiate their case. Meanwhile, the defense counsel, M.A. Attah, SAN, appealed for bail on liberal terms, emphasizing Bamaiyi’s role as a single mother caring for a two-year-old child.
After reviewing the arguments, Justice Halilu granted bail set at N30,000,000, requiring two credible sureties each earning at least Grade Level 14 in the civil service. The court also mandated that Bamaiyi surrender her passport to the EFCC and ordered her detention at Suleja Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.
The trial was scheduled to resume on December 2 and 3, 2025.