EFCC Arraigns MD For Alleged N144m Hajj Pilgrimage Fraud In Gombe

The Gombe Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MB Lugga Global Travels and Tours Limited, Mustapha Mohammed on a three-count charge bordering on intent to defraud and obtaining by false pretences to the tune of N144 million.

Mohammed was brought before Justice TG.Ringim of the Federal High Court sitting in Gombe, Gombe State on Monday over the collection of the same amount from one Hamza Ibrahim Maina and Ibrahim Arabia on the 2024 Ramadan Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

In the first charge, Mohammed the prosecution alleged that while being the Chief Executive Officer of MB Lugga Global Travel and Tours Limited alongside with one Nazifi Sale Idris, now at large, sometimes in 2024 at Gombe did, with intent to defraud, falsely obtained through his personal Access Bank Plc account number 0026323827, the total sum of N97,080,000.00 from one Hamza Ibrahim Maina for the purpose of procurement of flight tickets, visas and accommodation for 2024 Ramadan Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

The defendant was said to have committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

Count two of the charge reads: “That you Mustapha Muhammed, male adult, while being the Chief Executive Officer of MB Lugga Global Travel and Tours Limited and Nazifi Sale Idris (now at large) sometime between December, 2023 and February, 2024 at Gombe, Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud falsely obtained through your personal Access Bank plc account number 0026323827, the total sum of N29,082,500.00 from one Ibrahim Arabia for the Ramadan Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2)(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other fraud related offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.

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Prosecution counsel, S. H. Sa’ad prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the Gombe State Correctional Facility.

However, counsel to the defendant, MZ Gambo moved a motion for bail which was vehemently opposed by the prosecution.

Justice Ringing having listened to both counsels, adjourned the case for ruling on bail application and remanded the defendant at Gombe State Correctional Facility.