The Gombe Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Usman Mallam on June 11, 2024, for allegedly tearing official EFCC Investigation Activities letters and obstructing the Commission’s investigation. The case was brought before Justice TG Ringim of the Federal High Court in Gombe, Gombe State.

Mallam, a desk officer responsible for handling official correspondences in the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Gombe State, faced a one-count charge of willful obstruction of investigation activities. The charge against him states: “that you, Usman Mallam, on or about the 26th day of February 2024 at Gombe, Gombe State, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, while the officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, were carrying out an investigation activity involving an alleged economic and financial crime, did willfully obstruct the said investigation by tearing the EFCC formal letters of investigation activities dated January 1, 2024, and February 21, 2024, respectively,” contrary to Section 38 (1) and punishable under Section 38 (2) (a) and (b) of the EFCC Establishment Act.

Mallam pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecution counsel, AM Labaran, requested a trial date following the plea. In response, the defendant’s counsel, SS Usman, submitted a bail application dated July 11, 2024, asking the court to grant bail.

Justice Ringim granted Mallam bail in the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) with one surety in like amount. The surety must be a director in a government establishment or a private company with a capital worth not less than N10,000,000. Additionally, the Registrar of the court must verify the surety’s identity, and both the surety and the defendant must submit two passport photographs to the court.

Mallam was remanded in Gombe State Correctional Service until the bail conditions were met. The trial is scheduled to commence on July 9, 2024.