The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Sa’adu Maiwada, the Deputy Accountant General of Katsina State, and Sani Lawal BK with conspiracy and money laundering.
The two men are accused of colluding to divert 261,869,824 naira (about $650,000) from the coffers of the Katsina State government while Maiwada was the Sub-Treasurer and Lawal was the Deputy Sub-Treasurer.
The money is alleged to have been laundered through Integrated Gas Services Limited, a company that Maiwada is a director of.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the court granted them bail in the sum of 50 million naira (about $130,000) each.
The case has been adjourned until October 19, 2023 for trial.
- The EFCC is a Nigerian law enforcement agency that is responsible for investigating and prosecuting financial crimes.
- The charges against Maiwada and Lawal are serious, and if they are convicted, they could face lengthy prison sentences.
- The case is a reminder of the importance of financial accountability in government.
- The EFCC’s investigation into this case is ongoing, and it is possible that more charges will be filed.
One of the charges reads, “That you, SAADU MAIWADA, SANI LAWAL BK AND INTEGRATED GAS SERVICES COMPANY LIMITED between 2016 and 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, took possession of an aggregate sum of N261, 869. 824.00 (Two Hundred and Sixty One Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty Nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty Four Naira, Ten Kobo Only) paid through the Fidelity Bank account of Integrated Gas Services Company Limited with account no 4010693761 when you reasonably ought to have known that the said funds formed part of the proceed of unlawful activity (to wit: Criminal Breach of Trust) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 15(3) & (4) of the same Act.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, while the court entered a ‘not guilty’ plea for the 3rd defendant, Integrated Gas Services Limited.
In view of their pleas, counsel for the prosecution Aisha Tahar Habib asked the court for a trial date.
Counsel representing the defendants, J.P. Israel moved a bail application on behalf of his clients and prayed the court to grant them bail.
Justice Abubakar granted the defendants bail in the sum N50, 000,000 (Fifty Million Naira) each with two sureties who must be residents of Katsina. Additionally, the defendants shall deposit their international passports with the registry of the court.
The matter was adjourned till October 19, 2023 for trial.
