Prof Ibrahim Garba and Ibrahim Usman, former Vice Chancellor and Bursar of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, were arraigned on Wednesday before Justice R.M Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna, Kaduna State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said in a statement that they were arraigned on nine charges related to money laundering totaling over N1 billion by the Kaduna Zonal Command.
They were accused of diverting funds from the institution’s various accounts intended for the renovation of the popular Kongo Conference Hotel in Zaria.
One of the counts read, “That you, Prof. Ibrahim Garba and Ibrahim Shehu Usman, sometimes in December, 2013, whilst the Vice Chancellor and Bursar of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria respectively, in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to use the aggregate sum of N998, 000,000.00(Nine Hundred and Ninety Eight Million Naira), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: Criminal Breach of Trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
They pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charges were read to them.
Based on their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, Jamil Musa urged the court to remand the defendants at the Kaduna Correctional Centre and fix a date for the commencement of trial.
The defence counsel, M.S Aatu (SAN) for the 1st defendant and Bello.I.Jahun for the 2nd defendant, however, urged the court to admit their clients to bail.
Justice Aikawa granted bail to the defendants in the sum of five million naira each with one surety each in like sum who must not be below Grade Level 15 in the civil service.
The defendants must also deposit their international passports with the registry of the court. They are to further report to EFCC on the first Monday of every month until the court directs otherwise.
The case was adjourned till June 20-21, 2023 for hearing.