A Federal Excessive Courtroom has remanded the Nationwide Coordinator of the Multi-Sectoral Disaster Restoration Undertaking (MCRP) of the North East Improvement Fee (NEDC), Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma, on the Suleja Correctional Centre over an alleged N2.2 billion fraud.
The remand order was made on Tuesday by Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya following Danjuma’s arraignment alongside Prince Chibuike Echem on a number of felony counts.
The case, instituted by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC), centres on allegations of false pretence, forgery, and inducement linked to purported MCRP contracts within the North East.
The defendants have been arraigned on a 55-count cost and pleaded not responsible to all allegations.
What they’re saying
On the resumed proceedings, the EFCC counsel, Olanrewaju Adeola utilized for go away of courtroom to learn the costs to the defendants, a request that was not opposed by defence counsel.
In keeping with the costs, “Alhaji Danjuma Mohammed, being the Nationwide Coordinator of the Multi-Sectoral Disaster Restoration Undertaking (MCRP), North East Improvement Fee, alongside Prince Chibuike Echem and Aminu Alhaji (nonetheless at massive), between Could 2022 and February 2024 in Abuja, allegedly conspired to acquire by false pretence the cumulative sum of N2,280,000,000 from Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu, the Managing Director of Diamond Leeds Restricted, and the corporate itself.”
The alleged offence is alleged to contravene Part 8(a) of the Advance Payment Fraud and Different Fraud Associated Offences Act, 2006, and is punishable underneath the identical Act.
- The defendants additionally obtained mixture sums of N649,500,000 and N573,500,000 underneath the guise of getting the capability to award contracts underneath the Multi-Sectoral Disaster Restoration Undertaking for the North East, the costs partly added.
- Following the studying of the costs, the defendants pleaded not responsible, after which the EFCC urged the courtroom to remand them pending the listening to of the case.
- The defence, nonetheless, requested the courtroom to grant bail within the curiosity of justice, a request opposed by the prosecution on procedural grounds.
- The courtroom dominated that the prosecution have to be allowed to formally reply to the bail functions earlier than any dedication is made.
The courtroom subsequently mounted March 25 to April 2 for trial, ordering an accelerated listening to whereas the defendants stay in custody pending the dedication of their bail functions.
Extra Insights
Courtroom paperwork seen by BusinessTimes point out that the prosecution’s case will rely closely on testimonial and documentary proof detailing how the alleged fraud was executed.
The nominal complainant is anticipated to testify on how Prince Echem allegedly launched him to Mohammed Danjuma as a part of a contract financing alternative linked to the MCRP.
The prosecution can be anticipated to tender paperwork allegedly used to induce Diamond Leeds Restricted into releasing funds for contracts stated to not exist.
A number of representatives of economic banks have been listed as witnesses to assist the EFCC’s claims on the motion and receipt of funds.
The EFCC additional alleges that the defendants obtained extra sums of 200,000 {dollars} and 180,000 {dollars} underneath false pretences and that Danjuma solid a doc titled North East Restoration and Stability Programme (NERSP) Notification of Award dated April 5, 2023, purportedly relating to a medical coaching institute challenge in Damaturu, Yobe State.
What you must know
The North East Improvement Fee was established to coordinate reconstruction, stabilisation, and growth efforts in Nigeria’s North East, a area closely affected by insurgency and extended humanitarian crises.
The fee oversees a number of intervention programmes, together with the Multi-Sectoral Disaster Restoration Undertaking, designed to rebuild infrastructure and restore livelihoods.
In 2023, Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated a brand new board and administration of the NEDC.
On the inauguration, the Vice President urged the fee to prioritise financial alternatives, high quality training, and entry to healthcare throughout the area.
The instantaneous alleged fraud case comes amid heightened public scrutiny of intervention companies and the administration of restoration funds meant for conflict-affected communities.
Because the trial unfolds, the case is anticipated to attract continued consideration given its implications for accountability within the administration of public funds earmarked for the restoration and growth of Nigeria’s North East.
The destiny of the events can be decided when the courtroom provides judgement on the matter.
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