The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Abubakar Bawa Makuku, former Sole Administrator of Sakaba Local Government Area in Kebbi State, and Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, the council’s Director of Finance and Supply, over an alleged N54 million contract fraud.
The duo appeared before Justice E. Gakko of the Federal High Court in Birnin-Kebbi on Thursday, facing charges of abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and financial misconduct.
According to the three-count charge, Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai is accused of unlawfully withdrawing N54 million in cash from the Sakaba local government account in six tranches of N9 million each.
The ICPC, according to a statement signed by Demola Bakare, spokesperson for the Commission, alleged that the withdrawals were made to circumvent financial reporting protocols.
Abubakar Bawa Makuku, the second defendant, is accused of corruptly enriching himself with N10 million, allegedly diverted from funds earmarked for official engagements in the local government.
He is also charged with awarding contracts without following due process.
One of the charges against Fakai reads: “That you, Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, in June 2016 or thereabout, at Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while serving as Director of Finance & Supply, withdrew a total of N54,000,000.00 (Fifty-Four Million Naira) from the Sakaba Local Government bank account at First Bank Nigeria Plc in six tranches of N9,000,000.00 each, with the intent to avoid the legal duty of reporting the said sum. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 19(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another charge against Makuku states: “That you, Abubakar Bawa Makuku, in May 2016 or thereabout, at Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, while serving as Sole Administrator, used your office to confer corrupt advantage upon yourself by receiving N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) in cash from the Finance and Supply office of Sakaba Local Government.
“The funds were designated for official government activities but were not utilized for their intended purpose. You thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The prosecuting counsel, Hamza Sani, informed the court of the ICPC’s readiness to proceed with the trial and requested a clear date for commencement. The defense counsel, J.D. Adeyemi, applied for bail on behalf of the defendants, which was not opposed by the prosecution.
The case has been adjourned for further hearing, as the ICPC continues its efforts to combat corruption and financial misconduct in public offices.