EFCC Nabs Vice Chancellor, Lawyer over Fraud
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EFCC ArraignsVice Chancellor over N260m Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC today, Tuesday, October 12, 2021 arraigned a former Vice Chancellor of Federal University Gusau, Professor Magaji Garba before Justice Maryam Hassan Aliyu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi Abuja on a five count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and forgery,
He allegedly extorted various sums from a contractor on the pretext of awarding him a N3billion contract for the perimeter wall fencing of the University.
The offence is contrary to section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Professor Magaji Garba, whilst being the Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Gusau on or about the 15th of May, 2019 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Naira) from Alhaji Shehu Umar Sambo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ministaco Nigeria Limited, a contractor executing the construction of the Grand Convocation Square of the Federal University, Gusau under the false pretence of awarding a project for the perimeter wall fencing of the University valued at the total sum of N3,000,000,000.00 (Three Billion Naira) which representation/pretense you knew to be false”.
Count three reads: “That you, Professor Magji Garba, whilst being the Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Gusau on or about the 1st August, 2019 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N150,000,000.00 (One Hundred and fifty Million Naira from Alhaji Shehu Umar Sambo, Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of Ministaco Nigeria Limited, a contract executing the construction of the Grand Convocation Square at the Federal University, Gusau under the false presence of awarding a project for the perimeter wall fencing of the University valued at the total sum of N3,000,000,000.00 (Three Billion Naira), which representation/ pretense you knew to be false”.
The defendant pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charges were read to him.
Upon his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir asked for a trial date, and requested that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
But the defence counsel, R. Usman applied for the bail of his client. The application was however opposed by the prosecuting counsel on the ground that he was only served today, at around 10:33 am.
Justice Aliyu after listening to the argument of the counsel, adjourned the matter until Thursday, October 14, 2021 for hearing of the bail application and remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
12 October, 2021
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EFCC Arraigns Lawyer for Allegedly Pocketing Client’s N107m in Jos
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Gombe Zonal Command, on Monday October 11, 2021 arraigned one Gideon Ngwen, a lawyer, before Justice C. L. Dabup of Plateau State High Court, Jos, on a three count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation.
He allegedly converted the judgment debt paid into his account on behalf of his clients, about 100 staff of Plateau State Radio Television Corporation (PRTVC) whose employment was unlawfully terminated by the Plateau State Government, to personal use.
The workers had sometimes in 2014 and 2016 respectively instituted a suit at the National Industrial Court, Jos Division in Suit No. NICN/JOS/25/2014 and NICN/JOS/28/2016 against the Plateau State government for unlawful termination of their employment whereupon the defendant took up their case pro bono.
They stated that during the course of the trial, parties entered into a consent judgement and it was agreed that the sum of N181, 890, 402. 66 (One Hundred and Eighty One Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Four Hundred and Two Naira and Sixty Six Kobo) be paid to all 100 staff through the account of the defendant domiciled in United Bank for Africa.
They further alleged that to their dismay, they discovered that the sum of N107, 000, 000. 00 (One Hundred and Seven Million Naira) which has been paid into the defendant’s United Bank for Africa Bank account, had been converted by him for personal use.
Count one of the charge reads:“That you, Gideon Ngwen (trading under the name and style of Gideon Ngwen & Co.) between 21st September, 2017 and 8th July, 2018 at Jos, Plateau State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, converted to your own use the sum of N67, 540, 129. 57 (Sixty Seven Million, Five Hundred and Forty Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty Nine Naira, Fifty Seven Kobo) which was entrusted to you by the Plateau State Government as payment of arrears of salaries to David Musa Ayiki and 99 other staff of Plateau State Radio Television Corporation (PRTVC).”
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, M. O. Tijani asked for a date for trial to commence.
The defendant who opted to stand for himself, did not object, “I have no objection to the prosecution counsel applying for a trial date, I have application for bail before the court and I have also served the complainant,” he said.
Justice Dabup granted the defendant bail with the condition that a member of the executive of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA must write letter of undertaking to produce him in court anytime for trial.
The matter was adjourned till November 3, 2021 for hearing.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
12, October, 2021
