EFCC Arraigns Suspect in Benin City

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Amechi James Oduofor before the Federal High Court in Benin City, Edo State, over an alleged $285,000 crude oil fraud involving a Singaporean national.

Oduofor was arraigned on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, before Justice C. A. Obiozor on an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence, according to the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate.

The commission alleged that the defendant defrauded Singaporean businessman Jimmy Kee by falsely presenting himself as an official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Suspect Allegedly Posed as NNPC Official

According to the EFCC, Oduofor allegedly assumed the identity of an engineer named Bright Wilcox, whom he presented as a desk manager responsible for offshore petroleum loading operations at the NNPC.

Investigators alleged that he used a fake NNPC identity card bearing the name Engr. Wilcox Bright to convince Kee that he was dealing with a legitimate representative of the corporation.

The commission further alleged that Oduofor created a fraudulent email account through which he sent forged documents to the Singaporean in connection with the purported crude oil transaction.

$285,000 Allegedly Paid for Fictitious Transaction

The EFCC said the alleged fraud occurred in 2020, when Oduofor allegedly induced Kee to pay $285,000 as a cargo reassignment fee for light crude oil purportedly originating from Nigeria.

One of the charges accused him of knowingly making a false NNPC identity card with the intention of inducing Kee to believe it was genuine and pay the money.

Another count alleged that he altered a document titled “Proforma Invoice for Marine (ATB)” and sent it to Kee by email to make the transaction appear legitimate.

The charges were brought under the relevant provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, according to the charge details reported by the publication.

Defendant Pleads Not Guilty

When the charges were read to him, Oduofor pleaded not guilty to all eight counts.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel, I. M. Elodi, asked the court to fix a date for trial and order that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility.

Justice Obiozor adjourned the case until November 19, 2026, for hearing and ordered Oduofor’s remand in a correctional facility.

Trial to Continue in November

The case is expected to resume on November 19, when proceedings will continue.

The allegations against Oduofor have not been established in court. He remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.