LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Gombe Zonal Command of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Zakariyau Yahaya before Justice Benjamin Manji of High Court 9, Adamawa State High Court, Yola
He was arraigned yesterday on one-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation and obtaining to the tune of sixty-seven million, eighty thousand naira.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Dele Oyewale.
According to the statement, the charge read: “That you Zakariyau Yahaya, sometime in 2022 in Yola, Adamawa State within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, convert to your own use the sum of sixty-seven million, eighty thousand naira property of Alh. Umar Zuhairu, which was meant for the purchase of cotton seeds and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 300 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State 2018”.
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He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him in Hausa language.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, M.O Tijani prayed the court for a speedy trial and the remand of the defendant at a correctional centre.
Defence counsel, Johnson Altajir informed the judge of a bail application already placed before the court.
Justice Manji adjourned the matter till March 11, 2024 for hearing of bail application and April 8 and 9 for commencement of trial.
He also remanded the defendant at a Correctional Centre.
The statement noted that the defendant was arrested for obtaining the sum of sixty-seven million, eighty thousand naira from a petitioner for the supply of cotton seeds and maize.
“He neither supplied the products nor returned the money to the petitioner,” it stated.