By Francis Wilfred
Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has fixed June 2, 2026, for ruling on the bail application filed by Felix Njoku, one of the defendants standing trial in the alleged ₦2.04 billion money laundering case involving officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
Njoku, a former Director of Finance of the NRC, is being prosecuted alongside three other senior officials over alleged fraud and money laundering offences.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, counsel to the first defendant, Mordecai Adejo, informed the court that he had filed a motion for bail dated February 3, 2026, supported by a four-paragraph affidavit and a written address.
Adejo urged the court to allow his client continue enjoying the interim bail earlier granted by the court, arguing that Njoku had complied with all conditions attached to the temporary release.
According to him, the defendant had neither absconded nor violated the court’s directives, adding that he consistently reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office as required.
The defence counsel further prayed the court to grant bail pending the conclusion of the trial.
Opposing the application, prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed, SAN, told the court that the EFCC had filed a counter-affidavit and written address against the request.
Muhammed argued that the defence failed to provide sufficient information about the defendant’s family ties in Nigeria, which he said was necessary in determining whether the defendant posed a flight risk.
He further submitted that the anti-graft agency had evidence suggesting that Njoku might abscond if admitted to bail.
The prosecutor also expressed concern that some of the prosecution witnesses were staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, where the defendant previously served, warning that he could interfere with witnesses and evidence if released.
Following arguments from both parties, Justice Abike-Fadipe reserved ruling on the application till June 2.
The prosecution thereafter opened its case by calling its first witness, Clement Ngbolu, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc.
Led in evidence by Muhammed, the witness told the court that he had worked with the bank for about 16 years and was responsible for responding to requests from law enforcement agencies.
Ngbolu explained that Zenith Bank received a letter from the EFCC in June 2025 requesting the statement of account of FC Njoku and Company Ltd.
He said the documents were generated from the bank’s system, verified and forwarded to the EFCC.
The prosecution tendered the EFCC’s letter, the bank’s response and account opening documents for the company, which were admitted as exhibits after the defence raised no objection.
The witness identified Njoku Judith Chidima and Njoku Nyaku as signatories to the account and also confirmed several inflows into the account.
Justice Abike-Fadipe subsequently adjourned the matter till May 12, 2026, for continuation of trial.
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