Ex-Vice Chancellor and Bursar of the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Prof. Ibrahim Garba and Ibrahim Usman, have been taken to court for alleged fraud.
The former officials were on Wednesday arraigned before Justice R. M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, charged them with nine counts bordering on money laundering of over N1 billion.
They are accused of diverting funds meant for the renovation of the popular Kongo Conference Hotel, Zaria.
The offence, committed sometime in December 2013, violated Section 18(a), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended).
Garba and Usman pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charges were read to them.
Prosecuting counsel, Jamil Musa, urged the court to remand them at the Kaduna Correctional Centre and fix a date for the start of the trial.
The defence counsel, M.S. Aatu, SAN, however, urged the court to admit his clients to bail.
Justice Aikawa granted them bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety each, not below Grade Level 15 in the civil service.
The defendants must deposit their international passports with the court and report to EFCC every first Monday of the month.
Justice Aikawa adjourned the case till June 20-21, 2023, for hearing.
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