The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday, March 18, 2021 arraigned the trio of Tijani Meliga, Rilwanu Muhammad and Alhaji Yusuf Suleman before Justice J.J. Majebi of the Federal High Court Lokoja, Kogi State on a three count charge bordering on fraud and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N31million.
One of the charges reads ” that you Rilwanu Muhammed sometimes in 2017 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being entrusted with dominion over the sum of N37,000.000( Thirty Seven Million Naira) by Aminu Abdullahi of Amazon Global Links Limited for the supply of Cashew Nuts, did dishonestly misappropriate the sum of N14,000.000 (Fourteen Million Naira) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act’
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read and translated to them in Igala language.
In view of their plea, prosecuting counsel, Bamidele Akomode asked the Court for a date for trial and that the defendants be remanded with the Nigerian Correctional Service.
However, defence counsel, I.O Yunusa urged the court to admit the defendants to bail.
Justice Majebi adjourned the case till April 23, 2021 for hearing of bail application and ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kabba Correctional Centre.