The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Office has arraigned one Musa Abubakar before Justice M. A. Ikpambese of the Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi, on a one-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust to the tune of N10, 448, 000.
Trouble started for Musa Abubakar when the EFCC, received a petition from the complainant, one Abdulrahim Abubakar, who alleged that sometime in November, 2018, he supplied 4,500 bags of cement worth the total sum of N10, 418, 000 to the suspect, on condition that the defendant will sell and remit the said amount to him.
The petitioner had alleged further that the suspect absconded after taking delivery of the bags of cement and all efforts to recover either the bags of cement or money equivalent proved abortive.
According to the charge, Musa Abubakar was said to have committed an offence contrary to Section 312 of Penal Code Laws of Benue State (CAP)124 (Revised Edition), 2004 and punishable under Section 313 of the same Laws”.
The defendant, however pleaded “not guilty” when the charge was read to him.
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Based on his plea, prosecuting counsel, G. G. Chia-Yakua requested for a trial date and asked the Court to remand the defendant in a correctional centre.
However, counsel to the defendant, I. M. Mari submitted an application for bail of his client and urged the Court to grant him bail on most liberal terms.
The presiding Judge, Justice Ikpambese granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500,000.00 with two sureties in like sum.
He said the sureties must reside and have landed properties within the jurisdiction of the Court and must show evidence of such or could be civil servants not below GL 8 and who must submit their letter of appointment and identification cards. The sureties and defendant must also summit two recent passport photographs with the Court.
The defendant was remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of his bail condition, and the case was adjourned till April 27, 2020, for commencement of trial.