ABUJA, JUNE 22, 2016 – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Mr Ja’afaru Maliki, an aide to former Gov. Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, a statement said.
The statement signed by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, the commission`s Head of Media and Publicity, in Abuja, said that Maliki was arraigned along with Vwapamkai Bafyau, Director of Rural Access Mobility Project, a World Bank-sponsored project, and Farouk Tarja, Director, Civil Works.
According to the statement, James Zarma and Suleiman Mohammed, both Deputy Permanent Secretaries and Mamman Malgwi, a Permanent Secretary, were among those arraigned.
It said they were arraigned before Justice Balkisu Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Yola, in Adamawa, on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and diversion of funds to the tune of N700 million.
It said that the funds were meant for the development of the Yola by-pass phase 1 road project awarded to Nasser and Associate Global International Limited.
The statement said that a group, Adamawa Awareness for Change, had petitioned the EFCC, which subsequently investigated the allegation of fraud and misappropriation of funds levelled against them.
They pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them and were afterwards granted bail, the statement said, adding that the matter was adjourned and their trial fixed for Oct. 26, 27 and 28.
