EFCC Arraigns Ex-Bassa LG Chairman and Three Others Over N162m Scam bubakar adamu

233
Spread the love

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned a former chairman, Bassa Local Government Area, Kogi State, Musa Gwatana and three others on a four-count charge of criminal breach of trust and fraud to the tune of N162 million.

The three others arraigned along with Gwatana before Justice Majebi of Kogi State High Court, Idah, were a director in council, Mr. Joseph Yenusa; treasurer of the council, Mr. John Ekele and a staff in the works department, Abubakar Adamu.

Gwatana, Ekele and Adamu were alleged to have, between September and December 2008 in Bassa, connived to obtain the sum of N160 million from one of the branches of a new generation bank in Lokoja on behalf of Bassa Local Government and diverted the loan into personal use.

The accused persons were also alleged to have diverted the sum of N2 million belonging to Bassa Local Government Council which was for a contract for the renovation and furnishing of Bassa Council Hall and Council Leader’s office.

The offence is contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code Law of Kogi state.

The four accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

The defence counsel, Mr. M. Bala pleaded with the court to grant the accused bail, arguing that Gwatana, one of the accused persons, has a health challenge which may worsen if bail is denied him.

Prosecution counsel, Mr. Ndifon Takon Neji, did not oppose the bail application.

The judge thereafter granted bail in the sum of N5 million each with a surety in like sum.

The court further ruled that the surety must have a landed property which must be covered with a Certificate of Occupancy within the Kogi state judicial division.

He adjourned the case till 25 April 2012, for the substantive trial.


Spread the love



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *