EFCC Arraigns Former Vice Chancellor Over N260m Fraud

A former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Gusau, Prof. Magaji Garba was on Tuesday arraigned before an Abuja High Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged fraudulent activities.

Prof. Garba was arraigned before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi Abuja, presided over by Justice Maryam Aliyu on a five-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and forgery.

The defendant reportedly extorted varying amounts of cash from a contractor, who was seeking to be awarded a N3 billion contract to construct the perimeter wall fencing of the university.

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Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman stated that the offence contravenes section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Count two of the charge in a statement by the agency reads;

“That you, Professor Magaji Garba, whilst being the Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Gusau on or about the 15th of May, 2019 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N100 million from Alhaji Shehu Umar Sambo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ministaco Nigeria Ltd., a contractor executing the construction of the Grand Convocation Square of the Federal University, Gusau under the false pretence of awarding a project for the perimeter wall fencing of the university valued at the total sum of N3bn which representation/pretence you knew to be false.”

However, the suspect pleaded not guilty to the charges as lead counsel to the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir sought for a trial date, requesting that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.

But the defence counsel, R. Usman applied for the bail of his client.

“The application was however opposed by the prosecuting counsel on the ground that he was only served around 10:33 am.

“Justice Aliyu, after listening to the argument of the counsel, adjourned the matter till Thursday, October 14, 2021, for hearing of the bail application and remanded the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service,“ the statement said.