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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced Wednesday evening the arraignment of top former government officials before a federal court.
The Commission has been ramping up its sweep of corrupt government officials, with several high profile persons involved in everything from fraud to money laundering.
The official statement reads:
“The EFCC on June 22, 2016 arraigned Ja’afaru Maliki, an aide to former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, along with Vwapamkai Bafyau, director of Rural Access Mobility Project/World Bank; Farouk Abdullahi Tarja, director, Civil Works; James Zarma and Suleiman Mohammed, both deputy permanent secretaries, and Mamman Malgwi, a permanent secretary, before Justice Balkisu Aliyu of a Federal High Court, Yola, Adamawa State.
“They are facing a nine-count charge bordering on procurement fraud and diversion of funds to the tune of N700 million. The funds were meant for the development of the Yola bye-pass Phase 1 road project awarded to Nasser & Associate Global International Limited. A group, Adamawa Awareness for Change had petitioned the EFCC, which subsequently investigated the allegation of fraud and misappropriation of funds levelled against them.
The accused pleaded “not guilty”, when the charges were read to them, and were afterwards granted bail. Justice Aliyu has adjourned their trial to October 26, 27 and 28.”
