The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Zakariyau Yahaya before Justice Benjamin Manji of High Court of an Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola.
The defendant was arraigned on one-count charge of criminal misappropriation and obtaining to the tune of N67million.
The charge reads; “That you Zakariyau Yahaya, sometimes 2022 in Yola, Adamawa State within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, convert to your own use the sum of N67,080,000, 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.”.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him in Hausa language.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, M. Tijani prayed the court for a speedy trial and the remand of the defendant in prison.
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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 in prison custody.
The defendant was arrested for obtaining the sum of N67,080,000 from a petitioner for the supply of cotton seeds and maize.
He neither supplied the products nor returned the money to the petitioner.
