KEY POINTS

• Former railway chief Edetanle faces eight fraud-related charges involving over $385,000 and ₦165m.
• He pleaded not guilty; defence seeks time to file bail request.
• Court ordered remand and fixed May 2026 for trial dates.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday arraigned former Nigerian Railway Corporation managing director Fidet Okhiria Edetanle before Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja over alleged fraud totaling $385,000 and ₦165,438,000.

Prosecutors accused him of money laundering, abuse of office, and unlawful enrichment, offences said to contravene provisions of Lagos State criminal law.

Edetanle pleaded not guilty to all eight counts after the charges were read in court.

Prosecution counsel Abba Muhammad asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant pending proceedings.

Defence Seeks Time for Bail Application

Defence counsel Adebowale Kamoru told the court he had just received the charge sheet and requested time to file a bail application.

Justice Oshodi ordered that the former railway chief be remanded in custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services and adjourned the case to May 13–15, 2026 for trial.

One charge alleges that while heading the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Edetanle transferred $205,000 from his domiciliary account with Access Bank Plc to an account in the Netherlands held with ABN AMRO Bank, described as proceeds of unlawful activity.

Another alleges a further $40,000 transfer after he left office, said to also constitute money laundering.