The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned embattled businessman Friday Audu and a company, Genting International Ltd, before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on an amended eight-count charge bordering on forgery and false representation.
Audu, believed to be the Nigerian front for a Chinese-led ponzi and terrorism-financing syndicate, was brought before Justice Rahman Oshodi on Monday, following the EFCC’s amendment of charges initially filed against him and the company.
The amended charge sheet, marked ID/25617C/25 and dated May 17, 2025, includes allegations that Audu and Genting International Ltd. forged official documents to facilitate fraudulent activities.
At the resumption of trial, lead prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), appearing with Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, notified the court of the fresh charges and sought the court’s leave to allow the defendants take their plea.
Oyedepo told the court that the defendants, sometime in 2024 in Lagos, forged a document titled Ultimate Beneficial Ownership Declaration Form, allegedly bearing the forged signature of one Baffale Yakubu.
According to the EFCC, Audu and the company knowingly forged documents and misrepresented themselves as individuals they were not, in a bid to perpetrate fraudulent financial transactions.
Upon being arraigned, Friday Audu pleaded not guilty to all counts, while the court entered a not guilty plea on behalf of the company, Genting International Ltd.
During trial, the prosecution called Nasiru Barau as a witness. Barau testified that he had no knowledge of Genting International Ltd prior to the EFCC investigation. He told the court he dropped out of junior secondary school and denied being either a shareholder or director in the company.
“I have never heard of Genting International before EFCC invited me. I am not a director. It is only my brother, Baffale Yakubu, who is a director,” Barau said.
When presented with a document listing him as a shareholder with 12 million shares and associated with the email address [email protected], he responded: “I don’t know this document. This is the first time I am seeing it. That is not my email. I don’t understand anything about shares.”
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Barau confirmed that he made a statement to the EFCC and that his lawyer, Mr. Nojim Adeoye, alongside one Rabiu Ismail, had prepared a written statement which he signed.
“Yes, that is my signature,” Barau admitted when shown the signed statement.
While initially stating that he completed secondary school, he later clarified under re-examination that he did not finish. He also admitted to being an assistant at a bureau de change operated by his brother.
Following the testimony, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter to today, Tuesday, June 2, 2025, for ruling on Friday Audu’s bail application and continuation of trial.