The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, arraigned Aisha Sabo before Justice Fadima Murtala Aminu of the Federal High Court, Damaturu, Yobe State on one -count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation to the tune of N10,473,500.00 (Ten Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Three Thousand Five Hundred Naira).
The lone-count charge reads: “That you Aisha Sabo on or about March, 2022 at Damaturu, Yobe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court directly converts the aggregate sum of N10,473,500.00 (Ten Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Three Thousand Five Hundred Naira) which you reasonably ought to have known that it forms part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal misappropriation and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge when it was read to her.
EFCC Counsel, Muhktar Ali Ahmed, thereafter prayed the court for a trial date while defence counsel, M.M Ngumurumi applied for the bail of the defendant.
Justice Fadima adjourned the matter till January 24, 2024 for commencement of trial and admitted the defendant to bail with two sureties who must be resident in any local government area of Yobe State.
She further ordered that one of the sureties must be a traditional or religious leader, while the second surety must be a reasonable person in Yobe State. All the sureties are to be verified by the EFCC.
Sabo was arrested by operatives of the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the EFCC for converting N10, 473,500.00 belonging to a petitioner to her own use.