EFCC: How Ex-ABU VC, Bursar Diverted N1bn From School’s Account Meant For Renovation Of Hotel

The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Professor Ibrahim Garba, and Ibrahim Shehu Usman, former Vice Chancellor, and Bursar respectively of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

EFCC arraigned the duo before Justice R.M Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting Kaduna, Kaduna State, on nine count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of over N1 billion.

A statement by the EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said they are alleged to have diverted the monies from different accounts of the institution meant for the renovation of the popular Kongo Conference Hotel, Zaria.

One of the counts reads, “that you, Prof. Ibrahim Garba and Ibrahim Shehu Usman, sometime in December 2013, whilst the Vice Chancellor and Bursar of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria respectively, in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to use the aggregate sum of N998, 000,000.00(Nine Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million Naira), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: Criminal Breach of Trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act”. 

Another count reads, “that you, Prof. Ibrahim Garba and Ibrahim Shehu Usman, between the 11th day of January 2016 and 29th day of June 2016 whilst the Vice Chancellor and Bursar of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria respectively, in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court concealed the aggregate sum of N119,923,730.00(One Hundred and Nineteen Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty Naira) in USIG NIGERIA LIMITED’s account No. 1402548014 domiciled in First City Monument Bank Plc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: Criminal Breach of Trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act”.

They pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charges were read to them.

Based on their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, Jamil Musa urged the court to remand the defendants at the Kaduna Correctional Centre and fix a date for the commencement of trial.

The defence counsel, M.S Aatu (SAN) for the 1st defendant and Bello. I.Jahun for the 2nd defendant urged the court to admit their clients to bail.

Justice Aikawa granted bail to the defendants for five million naira each with one surety each in like sum who must not be below Grade Level 15 in the civil service.  The defendants must also deposit their international passports with the registry of the court. They are to further report to EFCC on the first Monday of every month until the court directs otherwise.

The case has been adjourned till June 20-21, 2023 for a hearing.

Meanwhile, Kanyi Daily reported that twenty-three (23) suspected internet fraudsters popularly known as “Yahoo Boys” have been arrested by the Enugu zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The “Yahoo Boys” were nabbed on Wednesday along the Monark, Emene, and Golf axis of Enugu state, following actionable intelligence.