The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Deputy Accountant-General of Katsina State, Sa’adu Maiwada, and one Sani Lawal BK before the Federal High Court sitting in Katsina on a two-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering.

Also arraigned alongside the defendants on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, was a company, Integrated Gas Services Limited, where Maiwada doubles as managing director.

The defendants, in their capacity as then Sub-Treasurer and Deputy Sub-Treasurer in the office of Accountant-General of Katsina State, were alleged to have colluded and diverted the sum of N261.8 million from the coffers of the Katsina State Government.

The EFCC said the stolen funds were laundered through Integrated Gas Services Limited.

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One of the charges read: “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 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.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, while the court entered a “not guilty” plea for the 3rd defendant, Integrated Gas Services Limited.

Following their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Aisha Tahar Habib, asked the court for a trial date.

The defence counsel, J.P. Israel, moved a bail application on behalf of his clients and prayed the court to grant them bail.

The presiding judge, Justice M.S Abubakar, however, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N50 million each with two sureties who must be residents of Katsina.

Justice Abubakar also ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports with the registry of the court.

The judge, therefore, adjourned the matter till October 19, 2023, for trial.

The Star