The Maiduguri Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 re- arraigned one Mustapha Usman before Justice Lawu Lawan of the Yobe State High Court, Potiskum, on one count charge of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and diversion of fund to the tune of N2, 600,505.00 (Two Million Six Hundred Thousand, Five Hundred and Five Naira).
Usman had previously been arraigned before Justice Garba Nabaruma of the Yobe State High Court, Damaturu on one-count charge, bordering on misappropriation and diversion.
The charge reads: “That you, Mustapha B. Usman, sometime in 2017 at Damaturu, Yobe State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, in your capacity as the hajj fare collector of Damaturu Local Government Council, Damaturu, Yobe State, while entrusted with properties (monies) of intending pilgrims to the tune of N2,600,505.00 (Two Million Six Hundred Thousand, Five Hundred and Five Naira), dishonestly misappropriated the proprieties (monies) and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Law of Yobe State.”
He pleaded not guilty to the charge. However, the case was later transferred to Yobe State High Court, Potiskum, prompting the re-arraignment.
When the defendant was docked today, Usman pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him. Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Khalid Sanusi prayed the court for a trial date.
Justice Lawan adjourned the case to December 3 and 4, 2019 for commencement of trial and ordered that the defendant should continue with the bail terms granted him by the previous judge.
