Jun 23, 2026

Ex-Councillor Re-Arraigned in N16m Pasta Fraud Scandal

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Kaduna, Nigeria—In a case that underscores the persistent battle against graft at the grassroots level of Nigerian governance, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned a former councillor for allegedly defrauding a local supplier of food items worth over N16 million through false pretences.

Hon. Theophilus Madami, who once represented Kakuri Hausa Ward in Kaduna South Local Government Area, appeared before Justice A. Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court on Monday, June 22, 2026.

He faces a fresh one-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, criminal breach of trust, and criminal misappropriation.

According to the EFCC’s charge sheet, Madami allegedly obtained 4,020 packs of pasta products valued at N16,080,000 from businessman Ibrahim Ringim Haruna of Pyramid Supplies and Services Limited.

He reportedly claimed the items were needed by the Kaduna South Local Government Area—a representation prosecutors say he knew to be false.

The offence is said to have occurred around November 5, 2018, and contravenes Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, which is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same law.

Madami pleaded not guilty to the charge. His counsel, B.E. Gwadah, made an oral application for bail, which was strongly opposed by the prosecution led by Y.J. Matiyak.

The court ordered Madami remanded in the Kaduna Correctional Centre and adjourned proceedings to July 22, 2026, for a ruling on the bail application.

A Case with History

This is not Madami’s first encounter with the anti-graft agency. Court records and EFCC statements indicate he was initially arraigned in 2019 on similar allegations involving the same victim and roughly the same amount (N16.08 million).

At that time, the EFCC recovered N5 million from the proceeds of the alleged crime and returned it to the victim.

The re-arraignment suggests procedural or substantive developments in the long-running prosecution, common in Nigeria’s often slow-moving judicial system for financial crimes.

A mugshot released by the EFCC shows Madami before a board detailing his details under the “Tax Fraud Section” with case number CR. No: 309/2019, dated October 28, 2019.

Broader Implications

For residents of Kaduna South, the case highlights vulnerabilities in local government procurement and the trust placed in elected officials.

A councillor using the name and authority of the local council to secure goods under false pretenses strikes at the heart of public service ethics. Small and medium suppliers, like the victim’s company, often operate on thin margins; such alleged scams can devastate businesses and erode confidence in government institutions.

The EFCC’s persistence in re-arraigning the case demonstrates the agency’s commitment to seeing high-volume, low-profile corruption matters through to conclusion, even years later.

In an environment where public frustration often focuses on high-profile cases that drag on, this development offers a reminder that accountability efforts continue across all levels.

As the July hearing approaches, the court’s decision on bail and the eventual trial will be closely watched—not only for justice in this specific matter but as a signal of how effectively Nigeria’s anti-corruption machinery can deliver closure on cases involving public officials and ordinary business victims alike.

The EFCC has urged anyone with additional information on the case to come forward, reinforcing its ongoing mandate to rid Nigeria of economic and financial crimes.