The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Musa Saidu Koki, a former managing director of Buffah S.K. & Co Limited, for allegedly using a parcel of land belonging to Orji Uzor Kalu, senator representing Abia North, to defraud an investor of N108.1 million.
Koki, also known as Alhaji Baffa, was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice F. E. Messiri of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Jabi on a five-count charge bordering on advance fee fraud and obtaining by false pretence.
The EFCC alleged that the defendant fraudulently obtained a total of N108,068,500 through transactions involving Plot 526, Cadastral Zone CO4, Guzape, Abuja.
According to the anti-graft agency, Koki collected N7 million from one Justice Enenche on August 15, 2024, as an agency fee after allegedly claiming to be the beneficial owner of the property. The commission said the claim was false.
The EFCC also alleged that between December 2024 and early 2025, Koki induced Voice Real Estate Limited into a joint venture agreement to develop the same property.
According to the commission, the company invested N97,568,500 on the understanding that the land was free from encumbrances.
The EFCC, however, alleged that Koki knew the property belonged to Kalu and was therefore not his to develop or offer under a joint venture arrangement.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Musa Saidu Koki (a.k.a Alahaji Boffa) being the Managing Director of Buffah S.K. & CO Limited and Buffah S.K. & Co Limited, sometime between December 2024, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did with intent to defraud Voice Real Estate Limited, induced the company into a Joint Venture Partnership Agreement, to develop the purported land Plot 526, Cadastral Zone CO4 Guzape, Abuja, assigned for residential development, causing him to lose the sum of N97,568,500 and under the pretence that the same land was free from any encumbrances, which you knew the beneficial owner of the said land was Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.”
Koki pleaded not guilty to all five counts F. O. Dibang, counsel to the EFCC, asked the court to remand the defendant in Kuje correctional centre and fix a date for trial.
T. Tonye, counsel to the defendant, urged the court to allow his client to continue enjoying the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC.
Although the prosecution opposed the request, Justice Messiri allowed Koki to remain on the administrative bail.
The judge directed the defendant to submit copies of his national identification number (NIN) slip and bank verification number (BVN) to the court registrar. The case was adjourned to July 29 for the commencement of trial.