The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Deputy Director of Highways at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Augustine Olowoniyan, alongside a surveyor, Sulaiman Muhammed, over alleged misappropriation of public funds totaling ₦1.9 billion.
The duo was brought before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, Abuja, on Wednesday, facing a three-count charge of alleged diversion of funds intended for acquiring titles for federal roads between March 2019 and July 2020.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the charges stem from violations of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
One of the charges reads:
“That you, Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, whilst serving as Deputy Director Highways, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and Suleiman Abdulkadir Muhammed, whilst serving as Surveyor of the Department of Highways and Planning, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, between March 4, 2019, and October 21, 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, used your office to confer corrupt advantage upon yourselves by putting to your own use the sum of ₦807,053,000.00, despite being funds budgeted for the acquisition of titles for Federal Roads Nationwide, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecuting counsel Abba Muhammed, SAN, requested the court to set a trial date and remand the defendants in custody. However, the defense counsel applied for a short adjournment to file for bail and requested that the defendants be held in EFCC custody instead of a correctional facility.
Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case to April 3, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application and remanded the defendants at Kuje Correctional Centre.
In a separate case, the EFCC also arraigned Olowoniyan on another three-count charge for allegedly diverting an additional ₦439,502,200.00 in public funds.
One of the charges states that between March and December 2019, Olowoniyan transferred ₦301,994,200.00 to a colleague, while personally receiving ₦19,140,000.00 in cash, violating Section 315 of the Penal Code Law.
Like the previous case, Olowoniyan pleaded not guilty, and Justice Onwuegbuzie scheduled April 3, 2025, for the bail hearing.
The EFCC continues its crackdown on corruption in public service, particularly cases involving mismanagement of government funds.
