The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Augustine Olowoniyan, and Sulaiman Muhammed, a surveyor from the same ministry, before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja. The duo faces charges relating to the alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds totaling N1.9 billion.
The charges, which include three counts of alleged fraud, have drawn attention to the misuse of government funds intended for the acquisition of titles for federal roads across the country. According to the EFCC, the accused individuals, while in office, allegedly converted these public funds for their personal use, violating several provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arraignment, revealing that the accused individuals allegedly diverted funds that were earmarked for the acquisition of titles for federal roads. This action allegedly occurred between March 4, 2019, and July 17, 2020. According to Oyewale, the suspects misappropriated a total of N1,936,961,649.00, which was intended for the acquisition of land titles for federal roads nationwide.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, while serving as Deputy Director Highways at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and Project Coordinator for the acquisition of titles for Federal Roads, and Sulaiman Abdulkadir Muhammed, a Surveyor in the Department of Highways and Planning, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, between March 4, 2019, and October 21, 2019, in Abuja, used your office to confer corrupt advantage upon yourselves by putting to your own use the sum of N807,053,000.00. This sum was meant for the acquisition of titles for Federal Roads nationwide, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
Both Olowoniyan and Muhammed pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them in court. This led to the prosecution, led by Abba Muhammed, SAN, requesting a trial date, while also seeking to have the defendants remanded in a correctional facility.
Following the plea of the accused, their lawyers, J.K. Kolawole and A.S.U. Garba, applied for a short adjournment to allow them to file for bail applications. They also requested that their clients be remanded in the EFCC’s custody, rather than a regular correctional facility.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, who is presiding over the case, adjourned the matter until April 3, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application. The defendants were subsequently remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their bail applications.
In a related development, Augustine Olowoniyan is also facing another set of charges involving the alleged diversion of public funds. The EFCC has accused him of embezzling a separate sum of N439,502,200.00. The funds were reportedly meant for the same purpose of acquiring titles for federal roads.
One of the charges against Olowoniyan reads: “That you, Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, while serving as Deputy Director Highways, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and Project Coordinator for the acquisition of titles for Federal Roads, and in such capacity entrusted with public funds, between March 27, 2019, and December 17, 2019, in Abuja, transferred the cumulative sum of N301,994,200.00 to Chile Ushahemba, a staff member of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and received in cash the sum of N19,140,000.00, which you converted to your use, thereby committing a criminal breach of trust contrary to and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Law.”
Like the previous case, Olowoniyan pleaded not guilty to these charges. The court has also adjourned the hearing of this matter to the same date—April 3, 2025—when the bail application will be heard.
Augustine Olowoniyan, who served as a Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, was entrusted with the critical task of overseeing the acquisition of land titles for federal roads across Nigeria. The Ministry of Works and Housing is responsible for a vast array of projects, including the construction and maintenance of federal highways and roads. The funds allegedly misappropriated by Olowoniyan and Muhammed were meant to facilitate the smooth acquisition of titles for these roads, a key step in the development of the country’s infrastructure.
However, in what appears to be a case of corruption within the ministry, Olowoniyan and Muhammed are accused of diverting a large portion of the allocated funds for personal use, bypassing due process and thereby hindering the progress of important infrastructure projects. Their alleged actions are part of the growing concern over corruption in Nigeria’s public sector, especially within government ministries and departments.
The EFCC, under the leadership of its acting Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has been investigating various corruption cases in the country. The EFCC’s proactive approach to tackling fraud and corruption has led to several high-profile cases being brought before the courts, including this one involving Olowoniyan and Muhammed.
The case has far-reaching implications for public trust in government institutions, especially those entrusted with managing public funds. The Ministry of Works and Housing plays a pivotal role in the country’s infrastructure development, and allegations of mismanagement and corruption undermine the public’s confidence in the government’s ability to effectively carry out its duties. The EFCC’s investigation and prosecution of individuals involved in such cases aim to restore public trust and ensure that those who misappropriate public funds are held accountable.
For Nigerians, this case is a reminder of the importance of fighting corruption at all levels of government. The EFCC’s efforts to prosecute individuals involved in financial mismanagement serve as a critical step toward ensuring that public funds are used for their intended purposes—improving the country’s infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life for citizens.
As the case progresses, all eyes will be on the courts and the EFCC to see whether justice will be served and if the accused individuals will be held accountable for their alleged crimes.
The hearing of the bail application and the continuation of the trial are scheduled for April 3, 2025. As the legal process unfolds, the case will likely attract further attention, with many Nigerians keen to see the outcome. Will the accused individuals be granted bail? Will the EFCC secure a conviction? These questions will remain at the forefront as this high-profile case develops.
For now, both Olowoniyan and Muhammed remain in Kuje Correctional Centre as they await the next steps in their legal journey.