The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has remanded alleged fraudster Solomon Ejiofor at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre following his arraignment over an alleged N307 million tax fraud involving funds reportedly collected for the payment of taxes on behalf of Lotus Travels Services Limited.Supreme Court Analysis
Justice Deinde Dipeolu ordered Ejiofor’s remand after the Nigeria Police Force, through its Directorate of Legal Services, arraigned him on a four-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, conspiracy and alleged cybercrime-related offences.
According to the prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Augustine Nwabueze, Ejiofor allegedly acted with other persons who are still at large and presented himself as a tax manager with Forvis Mazars, purportedly acting on behalf of Lotus Travels Services Limited.
The prosecution alleged that between January 2020 and September 2025/2026, Ejiofor collected a total of N307 million through two Zenith Bank accounts, with the understanding that the funds would be used to settle taxes owed to the relevant revenue authorities.
However, the police alleged that instead of remitting the money as intended, Ejiofor diverted the funds for his personal use, leaving Lotus Travels Services Limited exposed to substantial tax debts and liabilities.
The four-count charge includes allegations under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act relating to obtaining money by false pretence, as well as allegations of fraudulent conversion and stealing under the Criminal Code.
The prosecution also filed a conspiracy count linked to the alleged manipulation of financial records and tax remittances under the Cybercrimes Act, as amended in 2024.
Ejiofor pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following his plea, the prosecution asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant in custody pending the continuation of proceedings.
Ejiofor’s counsel, however, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution, adding that the defence was ready to move the application immediately.
Nwabueze opposed the request for the bail application to be heard on the same day, telling the court that the prosecution had only received the application that morning and needed time to study the documents and file its response.
After hearing both parties, Justice Dipeolu ordered that Ejiofor be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.
The court subsequently adjourned the case until October 26 for hearing of the bail application and further proceedings.
The allegations against Ejiofor remain unproven. He is presumed innocent unless and until the prosecution proves the charges against him before the court.