The Sokoto Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday March 18, 2021, arraigned one Abubakar Garba before Justice Bello Duwale of the State High Court, Sokoto, Sokoto State for offences bordering on criminal breach of trust.
The defendant allegedly misappropriated the sum of N750, 000.00 (Seven hundred and fifty thousand naira), part of the money given to him for the purchase of a property.
The charges reads, “That you, Abubakar Garba (“M”) sometimes in 2019 within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Sokoto State, while being entrusted with the sum of N1,200,000.00 (One million two hundred thousand naira) along with Mallam Bello Abdullahi Mana and Ahmadu Tamale (now convicts) by John Benedict for the purchase of plot of land situated beside Trade Fair Complex at Shagagi Area, Old Airport Road, Sokoto, measuring 50 by 130 feet dishonestly misappropriated the sum of N750, 000.00 (Seven hundred and fifty thousand naira) in violation of the mode in which such trust was to be discharged and thereby committed Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to Section 300 of the Sokoto State Panel Code Law 2019 and punishable under Section 301 of the same Law.โ
He pleaded โnot guilty,โ to the charge, which prompted the prosecution counsel, Habila Jonathan, to ask the court to fix a trial date and remanded the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
However, defence counsel, Abdurahman Dahiru made an oral application for his clientโs bail.
Justice Duwale granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20, 000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira) and one surety in like sum. The surety must be Village Head of the defendant.
The matter was adjourned till April 21, 2021 for trial.
