The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, arraigned Ali Bala (a.k.a. Barrister Ahmed) and Yusuf Umar Anka before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over alleged theft and money laundering involving £110,000 (One Hundred and Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling).
The duo are standing trial on a 10-count charge bordering on stealing, money laundering and retention of stolen property.
Count one reads: “That you, ALI BALA (a.k.a. Barrister Ahmed) and YUSUF UMAR ANKA, sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conducted financial transactions involving proceeds of your unlawful activities to disguise the source of the stolen £110,000 (One Hundred and Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling).”
Another count reads: “That you, ALI BALA (a.k.a. Barrister Ahmed) and YUSUF UMAR ANKA, between July and August 2025, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, converted the sum of ₦500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million Naira), property of Salihu Muhammed, to your use, which is contrary to Sections 280(1)(a) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the 10 charges when they were read to them.
In view of their pleas, the lead prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in a correctional centre.
Counsel to the first and second defendants, M. Abubakar and S. Makinde, opted for a plea bargain, pending their clients’ bail applications.
Justice Fadipe adjourned the matter to December 16, 2026, for trial and hearing of the bail applications. The judge also ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility.
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