Nigeria’s Anti-graft Agency the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Deputy Accountant General of Katsina State Sa’adu Maiwada, alongside Sani Lawal before Justice M.S Abubakar of the Federal High Court Katsina, North West Nigeria.
They were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering.
Also arraigned along with the defendants is a company, Integrated Gas Services Limited, where the 1st defendant doubles as managing director.
The EFCC’S spokesperson Mr. Wilson Uwujaren disclosed this in a press statement in Abuja.
He said, the defendant, in their capacity as then Sub-Treasurer and Deputy Sub-Treasurer in the office of Accountant General of Katsina State, allegedly colluded and diverted the sum of Two Hundred and Sixty-one Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty-nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty-four Naira, Ten Kobo Only (N261, 869. 824.00) from the coffers of Katsina State Government.
The stolen funds were allegedly laundered through Integrated Gas Services Limited, a company where the 1st defendant (Maiwada) is a director.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, while the court entered a ‘not guilty’ plea for the 3rd defendant, Integrated Gas Services Limited.
In view of their pleas, the counsel for the prosecution Aisha Tahar Habib asked the court for a trial date.
Counsel representing the defendants, J.P. Israel moved a bail application on behalf of his clients and prayed the court to grant them bail.
Justice Abubakar granted the defendants bail in the sum of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000) each with two sureties who must be residents of Katsina.
In addition, the defendants shall deposit their international passports with the registry of the court.
The matter was adjourned till October 19, 2023 for trial.
Dominica Nwabufo
