Former ABU VC, bursar arraigned over alleged N1bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned former Vice Chancellor (VC) of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Prof. Ibrahim Garba, and a former bursar of the institution, Ibrahim Usman, before a Federal High Court in Kaduna for allegedly laundering N1 billion.

They were arraigned before Justice R. M. Aikawa on a nine-count charge.

A statement by the spokesman of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said the duo were alleged to have diverted the money from different accounts of the institution meant for the renovation of the popular Kongo Conference Hotel, Zaria.

One of the counts read, “that you, Prof. Ibrahim Garba and Ibrahim Shehu Usman, sometimes in December, 2013, whilst the Vice Chancellor and Bursar of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria respectively, in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to use the aggregate sum of N998, 000,000.00 which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

Another count read, “That you, Prof. Ibrahim Garba and Ibrahim Shehu Usman, between 11th day of January, 2016 and 29th day of June, 2016 whilst the Vice Chancellor and Bursar of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria respectively, in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court concealed the aggregate sum of N119,923,730.00 in USIG NIGERIA LIMITED’s account No. 1402548014 domiciled in First City Monument Bank Plc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

They former ABU VC and ex-bursar pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charges were read to them.

Based on their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, Jamil Musa urged the court to remand the defendants at the Kaduna Correctional Centre and fix a date for the commencement of trial.

The defence counsel, M. Aatu (SAN), for the first defendant and Bello Jahun for the second defendant urged the court to admit their clients to bail.

Justice Aikawa granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N5 million each with one surety each in like sum who must not be below Grade Level 15 in the civil service.

The judge ruled that the former ABU VC and ex-bursar must also deposit their international passports with the registry of the court. They are to further report to EFCC on the first Monday of every month until the court directs otherwise.

The case was adjourned till June 20-21, 2023, for hearing.