Joseph Bakare
The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, arraigned one Ibrahim Umar Lafia (a.k.a Kawu)before Justice Lawu Lawan of the Yobe State High Court, Damaturu on one -count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust to the tune of N21,500,000.00 (Twenty One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira).
The count change reads: “That you Ibrahim Umar Lafia between November to 1st December 2023, at Potiskum, Yobe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: N21,500,000.00 (Twenty One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira) by Abdullahi Haruna as his investment in processing maize into maize grits did dishonestly misappropriated the said sum of N21,500,000.00 ( Twenty One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira) and you there by committed an offence contrary to 311 of the Penal Code Law Cap.102 Laws of Yobe State of Nigeria and punishable under Section 312 of the same Law.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Counsel to the prosecution, Mukhtar Ali Ahmad prayed the Court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in a Correctional Centre
Justice Lawan thereafter adjourned till July 8, 2024 for trial and remanded the defendant in prison custody pending the hearing of his bail application.
Lafia was arrested by operatives of the EFCC following a petition which alleged that he diverted monies meant for investment for processing maize into maize grits for his personal use.