N17m: EFCC arraigns Kano State commissioner

(Nigeria) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday arraigned Aminu Gaya, a serving commissioner in the Kano State Civil Service Commission in an Abuja High Court for obtaining N17 million on false pretext.

Gaya is standing trial on a 15-count charge bordering on forgery and obtaining money on false pretext.

Counsel to EFCC,  told the court that the 61-year-old commissioner forged a land title document and sold the land to one Mr Uche Okoli.

EFCC said the accused committed the crime in 2006 while he was an administrative officer with the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, in Abuja before his appointment in Kano State, adding  that the accused forged the document for plot 2794, located at Cadastral Zone C in Asokoro district, Abuja.

The EFCC counsel noted that the offence is punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The EFCC counsel prayed the court to fix a date to enable him to present witnesses, and also asked the court to remand the accused in prison.

He said ``my lord, we have intelligence report that the accused had been relieved of his appointment as commissioner in the Kano State civil service.

``We also have a report that the accused is preparing to relocate to the United Arab Emirate.’’

He argued that if granted bail, the accused might jump it.

Opposing the EFCC counsel submission, counsel to the accused, said granting bail was at the discretion of the court.

Defence counsel argued that the prosecution`s claim was false, adding that ``the prosecution doesn't have any sufficient material to show that the accused had been relieved of his appointment.

``Also, the prosecution counsel does not have any evidence to show that the accused plans to relocate to the United Arab Emirate.’’

Defence urged the court to admit his client to bail in most liberal terms.

In her ruling, the judge, Justice Olasumbo Goodluck, granted the accused bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.

Goodluck ordered that the sureties must not be below Grade Level 14 in the Federal Civil Service, who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.