The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned Ali Mohammed before Justice Mohammed Maina of the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri on allegations of a ₦9 million fraud.

The EFCC’s Maiduguri Zonal Directorate filed a two-count charge against Mohammed, accusing him of obtaining money by false pretence and criminal misappropriation. The charges stem from a transaction in September 2022, when Mohammed allegedly collected ₦9 million from Nuhu Alfa. Prosecutors said the funds were paid into a First Bank account in the name of Ali Bako, under the claim that they would be used for the purchase and supply of petroleum products.

One of the charges read in court stated: “That you, Ali Mohammed, on or about September 2022 in Maiduguri, Borno State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of ₦9,000,000.00 from Nuhu Alfa… under the false pretence that same is meant for an investment into the business of purchase and supply of petroleum products, a representation which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”

Mohammed pleaded not guilty to both counts. Prosecution counsel, S.O. Saka, applied for a trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded in custody. Justice Maina granted the application, ordered Mohammed’s remand at the Maiduguri Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until Wednesday, 24 September, for trial.