EFCC Arraigns Three Indians, One Nigerian Over Alleged Criminal Breach of Trust in Kwara
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, arraigned three Indian nationals—Lalit Sarwat, Ravi Raghavendra and Gagan Sarswat—alongside an Ilorin-based dispatch manager, Oniyide Samuel, before Justice Sulaiman Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.
The defendants were docked on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and criminal breach of trust, offences punishable under Sections 97 and 314 of the Penal Code.
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According to the EFCC, the defendants, while serving as employees of KAM Steel Integrated Company Limited, allegedly conspired between November 2024 and September 2025 to unlawfully convert company property to their personal use. The Commission further alleged that the accused were entrusted with steel rebars belonging to the company, which they subsequently diverted in breach of trust.
One of the charges stated that the defendants, alongside one Kumar Saroj who is currently at large, agreed among themselves to commit criminal breach of trust while acting in their capacity as servants of the company. Another count alleged that the accused unlawfully misappropriated steel rebars entrusted to them by virtue of their employment.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
Following their pleas, EFCC counsel, Cosmas Ugwu, requested that the court remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the commencement of trial. However, defence counsels Ademuyiwa Abe, S. J. Ochai and D. M. Ayuba filed separate bail applications, arguing that the offences were bailable and urging the court to grant their clients bail.
Opposing the applications, Ugwu urged the court to deny bail, citing the fact that three of the defendants are foreign nationals who pose a flight risk. He also requested an accelerated hearing of the case.
After listening to submissions from both parties, Justice Akanbi adjourned the matter to Friday, December 19, 2025, for ruling on the bail applications. The court ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the determination of the bail requests.
EFCC Arraigns Three Indians, One Nigerian Over Alleged Criminal Breach of Trust in Kwara