Yakubu Adamu to be arraigned by EFCC over alleged N4.6bn fraud; court warns prosecution against failing to produce him
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Yakubu Adamu, Commissioner of Finance for Bauchi State, to appear in court on December 30 for arraignment over an alleged N4.6 billion money laundering scheme.
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Justice Emeka Nwite gave the directive on Wednesday after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to produce Adamu during proceedings.
The judge threatened to sanction the prosecuting counsel if the defendant is not presented on the next adjourned date.
Adamu, alongside Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd, was initially scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday.
However, the EFCC’s lawyer, Samuel Chime, did not attend, while the defendants’ legal team, led by Chief Gordy Uche, SAN, was present.
Chime explained that the EFCC intended to amend the charges to include additional defendants at large, citing the need to ensure a uniformed arraignment.
Justice Nwite, expressing dismay, warned the prosecution against delaying the proceedings.
Chief Uche opposed the adjournment, arguing that the current charge is sufficient for arraignment and that the defendants’ liberty was at stake, especially as over 60,000 Bauchi State workers have not been paid since Adamu’s detention.
The six-count charge, filed on December 19, alleges that Adamu, while acting as Branch Manager of Polaris Bank Ltd in Bauchi, conspired with others to unlawfully convert and transfer funds provided by the bank for motorcycle supply projects to the state government. The alleged offences involve transactions totaling N4.65 billion.
Count six of the charge states that Adamu and co-defendants retained and circulated portions of the funds through third-party accounts, including payments made to Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd, constituting proceeds of unlawful acts under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until December 30, insisting that the EFCC must produce Adamu for his plea or face potential sanctions.
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