The legal and political landscape surrounding Mrs. Halimat Adenike Tejuoso, the suspended South-West Zonal Coordinator of the women’s wing of the City Boy Movement, has taken a dramatic turn as new dimensions continue to unfold regarding her ongoing detention by anti-graft authorities.
Fresh details reveal that her prolonged stay in custody is tied to multiple layers of serious financial misconduct allegations. Beyond initial investigations, additional legal petitions have emerged linking her to multi-million-naira and foreign currency fraud schemes, with prominent victims coming forward to expose massive financial losses.
At the core of these multi-million-naira accusations is Mrs. Mary Sholoye, who stands out as the primary petitioner and major victim allegedly defrauded by the suspended political leader. Investigations indicate that her financial entanglements with Tejuoso involve staggering sums transferred through formal banking channels under the guise of high-level government placements and appointments.
According to official records from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Tejuoso was taken into custody following months of evasion. Her arrest effectively brought a temporary halt to a high-profile manhunt that began earlier in the year.
The anti-graft agency had previously declared her wanted in April following widespread complaints regarding fake employment opportunities and contract scams. These initial findings—sparked largely by the complaints lodged by Mrs. Mary Sholoye and other affected individuals—formed the bedrock of the case currently being handled by the commission's investigative units.
Adding to her legal woes, a fresh petition dated September 25, 2026, submitted by legal practitioners representing another petitioner named Mrs. Bebiem Bisong, has surfaced. This petition was officially received by the Executive Chairman's office at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
The new petition accuses Mrs. Halimat Adenike Tejuoso alongside Mr. Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu of criminal conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and cheating. The document highlights a fraudulent transaction involving the sum of Thirty-Five Thousand United States Dollars ($35,000.00).
According to the legal complaint, the suspects allegedly obtained the funds under false representations. They reportedly convinced the client that they possessed the requisite capacity, influence, and connections to secure a lucrative employment opportunity.
Relying on these assurances, the victim was allegedly induced to part with the total sum. However, after receiving the money, the suspects failed to deliver on the promised employment and subsequently became evasive.
Lawyers representing the petitioner noted that despite repeated follow-ups, the suspects refused to refund the money. Because Mrs. Tejuoso is already being held by the EFCC in connection with parallel investigations involving primary complainants like Mrs. Mary Sholoye, the new petitioners have formally requested that their case be referred to the appropriate department for a consolidated investigation.
Political undertones have further complicated her ordeal, driven by shifting loyalties in her political career. In June, Mrs. Tejuoso formally joined the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) platform in a strategic move to contest for office in Ogun State.
Her defection and political ambitions targeting the House of Representatives seat for the Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency in Abeokuta, Ogun State, sparked significant tension. This move followed her abrupt departure from the political networks associated with the ruling establishment.
The City Boy Movement—a prominent youth-led political organization backing the administration of President Bola Tinubu—had earlier distanced itself from her actions. Prompted by the public scandal, the massive exposure surrounding the Mary Sholoye fraud allegations, and the initial wanted declaration, the movement announced her immediate suspension to protect its institutional credibility and ethical standards.
Despite her suspension and subsequent efforts to sustain her political relevance by aligning with the NDC to run for the federal legislative seat, her mounting legal troubles have completely derailed her campaign momentum.
As investigations deepen, anti-graft officials maintain that her detention is strictly a matter of due process regarding economic crimes. The accumulation of separate heavy petitions from major complainants like Mrs. Mary Sholoye ensures that she will face thorough judicial scrutiny across all fronts.
Legal experts note that confronting multiple countsg of obtaining money under false pretences and colossal financial fraud will make securing administrative bail an uphill task. Both the EFCC and the courts are expected to thoroughly evaluate the gravity of the petitions before deciding on her next legal steps.
