The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today, Tuesday, August 3, 2021, arraigned one Ali Lawan Kadai before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri on a one-count charge of misappropriation of funds to the tune of N13, 000, 000.00 (Thirteen Million Naira), an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Cap. 102 Laws of Borno State of Nigeria and punishable under Section 312 of the same law.
The defendant allegedly diverted the sum meant for the supply of foods items to a Non-Governmental Organization, ‘‘Save The Children’’, for personal use.
The charge reads: ‘‘That you, Ali Lawan Kadai, sometimes in January 2019 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit; N13, 000, 000.00 (Thirteen Million Naira) by Umar Goni Mohammed for a supply of foods stuffs to a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) (Save The Children), did dishonestly misappropriates the entire sum of N13, 000, 000.00 (Thirteen Million Naira) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Cap. 102 Laws of Borno State of Nigeria and punishable under Section 312 of the same Law.’’
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Upon his plea, prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed asked the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in the Correctional Centre.
The defence counsel however asked a short date to file application for the bail of his client.
Justice Kumaliya adjourned the matter till September 9, 2021 for hearing and commencement of trial.
She ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Correctional facility.
In a similar development, one Bulama Ba’ana was today arraigned before Justice Kumaliya on a one-count charge bordering on obtaining under false pretence to the tune of N300, 000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira).
The offence is contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.
The defendant is alleged to have obtained the said sum under the guise of selling a plot of land to the victim.
The charge reads: ‘‘That you Bulama Ba’ana, sometimes in March 2019 at Maiduguri, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud did obtained the gross sum of N300, 000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) only from Abubakar Mala under the pretence that the Money represent payment for a plot of land measuring 50ftx100ft laying and situate at Masamalam District Maisandari ward Maiduguri, Borno State, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and Punishable Under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.’’
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when read to him.
Upon his plea, prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed asked the court for trial date and to remand the defendant in the Correctional Centre pending the determination of the case.
Justice Kumaliya adjourned the matter till September 9, 2021 for commencement of trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
