The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned the former Sole Administrator of Sakaba Local Government Area in Kebbi State, Abubakar Bawa Makuku, and his Director of Finance and Supply, Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, over an alleged N54 million contract fraud.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The duo appeared before Justice E. Gakko of the Federal High Court sitting in Birnin-Kebbi on Thursday, facing charges of abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and financial misconduct.
According to the three-count charge filed by the ICPC, Fakai is accused of unlawfully withdrawing N54 million in cash from the Sakaba Local Government account in six tranches of N9 million each. The withdrawals allegedly aimed to circumvent financial reporting protocols.
Meanwhile, Makuku allegedly diverted N10 million earmarked for official engagements, enriching himself corruptly. He is also accused of awarding contracts without following due process.
One of the charges against Fakai reads:
“That you, Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, in June 2016 or thereabout, at Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while serving as Director of Finance & Supply, withdrew a total of N54 million from the Sakaba Local Government bank account at First Bank Nigeria Plc in six tranches of N9,000,000.00 each, with the intent to avoid the legal duty of reporting the said sum. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 19(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
A separate charge against Makuku states:
“That you, Abubakar Bawa Makuku, in May 2016 or thereabout, at Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, while serving as Sole Administrator, used your office to confer corrupt advantage upon yourself by receiving N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) in cash from the Finance and Supply office of Sakaba Local Government. The funds were designated for official government activities but were not utilized for their intended purpose. You thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
At the arraignment, both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. ICPC’s prosecuting counsel, Hamza Sani, informed the court of the commission’s readiness to proceed with the trial and requested a date for commencement.
Defense counsel J.D. Adeyemi moved for bail on behalf of the defendants, which the prosecution did not oppose. The court has yet to fix a trial date.
Discover more from Naija247news
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
