The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Deputy Accountant General of Katsina State, Sa’adu Maiwada before the Federal High Court for N261m fraud.
Also arraigned was Sani Lawal BK. Both Maiwada, and Lawal were faced with two court counts of conspiracy and money laundering charges in the court presided over by Justice M.S Abubakar.
Integrated Gas Services Limited, who is the first defendant and its managing director, has been brought before the court.
The accused, in his capacity as Sub-Treasurer and Deputy Sub Treasurer in the office of the Accountant General of Katsina State, was involved in the conspiracy and misappropriation of N261, 869,824.00m from the Katsina State Government.
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The stolen funds were allegedly laundered through Integrated Gas Services Limited, a company of which the first accused (Maiwada) was a director.
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One of the charges read:
“That you, SAADU MAIWADA, SANI LAWAL BK AND INTEGRATED GAS SERVICES COMPANY LIMITED between 2016 and 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, took possession of an aggregate sum of N261, 869. 824.00 (Two Hundred and Sixty One Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty Nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty Four Naira, Ten Kobo Only) paid through the Fidelity Bank account of Integrated Gas Services Company Limited with account no 4010693761 when you reasonably ought to have known that the said funds formed part of the proceed of unlawful activity (to wit: Criminal Breach of Trust) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 15(3) & (4) of the same Act.”
The two defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, while the third defendant, Integrated Gas Services, was found guilty by the court.
Following their pleas, the prosecution lawyer, Aisha Tahar Habib asked the court to set a date for the trial.
The lawyer of the defendants, J.P. Israel filed bail applications on behalf of his clients and asked the court to grant them bail.
Justice Abubakar granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000,000m with two sureties who must be residents of Katsina.
In addition, the defendant must surrender his international passport to the justice office of the court.
The trial of the case was postponed until October 19, 2023.
