Katsina Deputy Accountant General Arraigned Over N289m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned the deputy Accountant General of Katsina State and one other person on a five-count charge of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.

The duo, identified as Saadu Maiwada and Sani Lawal BK were arraigned on Thursday before Justice Musa Danladi of the Katsina State High Court.

The defendants, in their capacity as then Sub Treasurer and Deputy Sub Treasurer in the office of Accountant General of Katsina State, allegedly conspired and converted the sum of N289m from the coffers of Katsina State.

According to statement issued by the EFCC on Friday, investigations revealed that the defendants laundered the stolen funds through the account of Integrated Gas Services Limited, a company where the first defendant (Maiwada) is a Director. The sum of N49m was also allegedly transferred from the account of Integrated Gas Services Limited to the personal account of the second defendant (Lawal BK) who is now the Deputy Accountant General of the state.

One of the charges reads, “That you, Saadu Miawada and Sani Lawal BK sometime in 2017 at Katsina within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court while being entrusted with dominion over money belonging to Katsina State Government dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N120m which was transferred from Katsina State Government Sub -Treasury Expenditure Account number 1012424374 domiciled in United Bank for Africa (UBA) PLC to Integrated Gas Services Company Limited’s Fidelity Bank account no 4010693761 (CO1717299) and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 297 of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State 2021”.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

In view of their pleas, the counsel for the prosecution, Aisha Tahar Habib prayed the court for a trial date.

Counsel for the defendants, J B Israel made an oral bail application on behalf of his clients but the prosecution objected, demanding for a formal application as the court is a court of record.

Justice Danladi, however, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N5m each. The court ordered that each defendant must provide a surety with landed property within Katsina and present letters of introduction from a traditional ruler.

The matter was adjourned till July 24, 2023, for trial.