The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
on Wednesday arraigned a staff member of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS),
Aliyu Umar, and a bank official, Ambrose Idama, before the Federal
High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, over an alleged ?336.4 million
fraud involving fund conversion and financial cybercrime.
Prosecuting counsel, Uwaisu Yusuf, told the
court that between March and September 2021, Umar allegedly obtained
various sums of money from Mallam Ishaku Danladi-Abari, a retired
permanent secretary in the Nasarawa State civil service, under the pretext of
facilitating a contract.
According to the EFCC, the contract—purportedly
awarded to Umar’s company, Bamo Value Integrated Services Limited, for
the supply of five million 50kg bags of rice over two years—was
fictitious. The commission further stated that the supposed awarding body, UN
Rescue Services, was non-existent.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that Umar conspired
with Idama to divert ?100 million to an account linked to a non-existent
firm, Prowess Energy Limited, as part of the fraudulent scheme.
Presiding judge, Justice Mobolaji Olubukola
Olajuwon, granted Umar bail in the sum of ?150 million with two
sureties, while Idama was granted bail of ?100 million, also with two
sureties.
The court ordered that the sureties must own landed
property in Abuja or Nasarawa State valued above the respective bail
sums, present evidence of three years’ tax payments, submit passport
photographs, and deposit original title documents with the court for
verification.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, both
defendants are to remain in custody at the appropriate correctional facility.
Counsel to the defendants, Ayiwulu Baba Ayiwulu,
described the ruling as satisfactory, assuring the court that efforts would be
made to meet the bail conditions.
The case was adjourned to March 2, 2026, for
hearing.
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