Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has authorized human rights lawyer Femi Falana to file fraud charges against Zinox Group CEO Leo Stan Ekeh, his wife Chioma, and eight other individuals, as well as three companies.

The charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, allege that the defendants diverted N162,247,513.80 intended for a laptop supply contract at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Headquarters. The prosecution is being pursued at the expense of the nominal complainant, Mr. Joseph Benjamin.This development comes after former AGF Abubakar Malami reportedly shielded the defendants from prosecution, frustrating the case and hindering a thorough investigation.

Malami had withdrawn the authorization granted to Falana to prosecute the suspects in 2022.

The charge sheet lists 15 counts against the defendants, including conspiracy to hijack a contract and criminal misappropriation of funds.