EFCC Arraigns Four for N50m Fraud in Maiduguri
The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned four individuals before Justice Muhammad Maina of the Borno State High Court on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, for allegedly defrauding a total sum of N50,030,000 (Fifty Million Thirty Thousand Naira).
The defendants—Mohammed Kolo Nuhu, Babagana Maru, Ahmadu Sale, and Alhaji Mala Gana—faced separate charges of criminal misappropriation and breach of trust.
Charges Against the Defendants:
- Mohammed Kolo Nuhu: Nuhu, along with Kolomi Global Link Nigeria Limited, was accused of misappropriating and converting N18,900,000 (Eighteen Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) belonging to Mohammad Baba Shettima. This sum had been entrusted to him by the non-governmental organization, Action Against Hunger, for a project. The charge states that the offense occurred in September 2022 in Maiduguri, Borno State.
- Babagana Maru: Maru was accused of dishonestly misappropriating N8,500,000 (Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) in 2020. This sum was entrusted to him by Imam Manu Dauda as advance payment for the purchase of tricycles. The alleged crime occurred in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to their charges.
Court Proceedings:
- Prosecution’s Request: Counsel for the prosecution, S.O. Saka and Faruku Muhammad, requested that trial dates be set and that the defendants be remanded in the Correctional Centre.
- Bail Application for Maru: Maru’s counsel, Z.M. Umaru, made an oral application for his client’s bail. Justice Maina granted bail to Maru in the sum of N10 million, with two sureties in the like sum. One of the sureties must be a blood relative or a traditional titleholder.
The cases were adjourned to April 26, 2025, for the commencement of trial. Meanwhile, all defendants were remanded in the Maiduguri Maximum Correctional Center.
