The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in Lagos has arraigned two men, Micheal Effiong and Nwachukwu Israel before Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja.

They were arraigned on one count, bordering on conspiracy to defraud – an offence which is contrary to Section 323 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The defendants were accused of conniving to steal a sum of N172, 408, 320 from one Abdulllahi Shuaibu Danjuma, a retired Accountant General of Kebbi State.

The charge read: “That you Nwachukwu C. Israel, Micheal Effiong Udo, Alhaji Buhari (still at large), Alhaji Ahmed (still at large), Alhaji Yinusa (still at large) and one Rotimi Badmus (still at large) on or about 16th September, 2019, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to defraud Abdulllahi Shuaibu Danjuma, retired Accountant General of Kebbi State, the sum of N172, 408, 320.00 (One Hundred and Seventy Two Million, Four Hundred and Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty Naira).”

They, however, pleaded not guilty.

In view of their plea, prosecution counsel, M.K. Hussain asked the court for a trial date and to remand the defendants in a Correctional Centre pending the determination of the case.

Meanwhile, the counsels to the defendants, O.J. Esomobi and M.O. Udo both informed the court that they were yet to file bail applications for their clients.
They, therefore, pleaded with the court for a short date to allow them file and serve the bail applications on the prosecution.

Justice Solebo thereafter adjourned the case to November 21, 2019, for hearing of bail application and for the commencement of trial.