Katsina Deputy Accountant General arraigned for N289m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on Thursday, June 8, 2023, arraigned the Deputy Accountant General, Sani Lawal BK and one Saadu Maiwada on a five-count charge of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.

EFCC disclosed the arraignment on their Twitter handle.

Lawal BK and Maiwada were arraigned before Justice Musa Danladi of the Katsina State High Court.

The defendants, in their capacity as then Sub Treasurer and Deputy Sub Treasurer in the office of Accountant General of Katsina State, allegedly conspired and converted the sum of N289,000,000 from the coffers of Katsina State.

Katsina Deputy Accountant General, One Other Arraigned for N289m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, June 8, 2023, arraigned the duo of Saadu Maiwada and Sani Lawal BK before Justice Musa Danladi of the Katsina State High Court on a five-count… pic.twitter.com/egLqQU9MCP

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) June 9, 2023

Investigation revealed that the defendants laundered the stolen funds through the account of Integrated Gas Services Limited, a company where the first defendant (Maiwada) is a Director.

The sum of N49,000,000 was also allegedly transferred from the account of Integrated Gas Services Limited to the personal account of the second defendant and Deputy Accountant General of the state, Lawal BK.

After the charges were read to them, both defendants pleaded not guilty.

Prosecution counsel Aisha Tahar Habib prayed the court for a trial date.

Counsel for the defendants, J B Israel made an oral bail application on behalf of his clients but the prosecution objected, demanding for a formal application as the court is a court of record.

Justice Danladi, however, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N5,000,000 each.

The court ordered that each defendant must provide a surety with landed property within Katsina and present letters of introduction from a traditional ruler.

The matter was adjourned till July 24, 2023, for trial.