The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, the suspended South-West Zonal Coordinator of the women wing of the City Boy Movement. Tejuosho was taken into custody on September 8 over an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence. EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed her arrest, stating that she is currently in the custody of the anti-graft agency.
Tejuosho's arrest comes months after the EFCC declared her wanted in April over the same allegations. At the time, the EFCC identified her as a 41-year-old indigene of Lagos State and appealed to members of the public with information about her whereabouts to contact the commission or other security agencies. The EFCC had earlier investigated Tejuosho over allegations linked to an appointment and contract scam.
According to the EFCC, Tejuosho had been interrogated in June 2025 following complaints that she allegedly collected money from individuals under the guise of securing federal government appointments and lucrative contracts. The investigation reportedly centred on allegations that fake appointment letters and forged documents were used to convince prospective victims that government appointments and contracts could be facilitated through her.
Following the EFCC's declaration, the City Boy Movement suspended Tejuosho as its South-West Zonal Coordinator of the women wing. The movement said the suspension took immediate effect pending the outcome of the investigation, describing it as an administrative measure intended to protect its image, credibility and ethical standards.
The City Boy Movement is a political advocacy group associated with President Bola Tinubu and his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda. Its mobilisation activities have given its officials visibility within the political space. Tejuosho's arrest therefore puts renewed focus on the question of how political organisations handle allegations against their officials and supporters, especially when such allegations involve claims of financial wrongdoing.
This case draws parallels with the case of former Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister, Betta Edu, who was included in the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 presidential campaign council despite facing allegations surrounding a directive for the payment of N585 million into a private account. Edu's inclusion prompted renewed public interest in the status of the allegations against her and whether the relevant investigations had been concluded or she had been cleared.
For now, the EFCC's confirmation that Tejuosho is in custody represents the latest development in an investigation that has been running for more than a year. Whether the investigation will lead to prosecution, clearance or another outcome remains to be determined by the evidence gathered by the commission and any subsequent judicial proceedings. Until then, Tejuosho remains presumed innocent of the allegations against her.
Key points
- The EFCC arrested Halimat Adenike Tejuosho over an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence.
- Tejuosho was suspended by the City Boy Movement as its South-West Zonal Coordinator of the women wing pending the outcome of the investigation.
- The case raises questions about how political organisations handle allegations against their officials and supporters, especially when such allegations involve claims of financial wrongdoing.
